Tanzania’s National Food Security Agency (NFRA) has received Tzs15billion for the purchase of maize from farmers in a bid to strengthen country’s food reserve.
Speaking at the Parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that the government would pay reasonable price that will enable farmers to profit from the business.
Majaliwa was responding to an inquiry by Kwela MP, Deus Sangu who sought to know about the government’s preparedness to enhance NFRA capacity to obtain grains from local farmers.
Noting that NFRA has already received a budget for procuring the maize, the Premier said “maize production in the country is so promising and the government has taken relevant measures to enhance our food reserve.”
During his recent tour in Katavi region, Majaliwa stated there’s a need to stem food crisis in the country, he observed a glut of tons of maize which prompted him to interface with NFRA officials on the way forward.
“I observed that the NFRA centre had a low capacity and it situated in a remote area. Due to this, we have decided that each Local Government Authorities (LGA) should have at least one station,” said the Premier.
He assured farmers of government’s support through the NFRA and the Mixed Crops Board in buying maize and other crops.
In a similar development, the Prime Minister said the government has no plan to merge the National Identification Authority (NIDA) and the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) since the two institutes undertake different responsibilities.
While responding to a question from Kilombero MP, Abubakari Asenga, the Premier said “the two institutions have different roles, therefore there is no way we can combine them together.”
Majaliwa reassured the parliamentarians that, upon completion of all legal procedures, all Tanzanian will be issued national identification cards.