New cereals board directed to reassess NMC properties

Morogoro. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba, has launched the country’s new cereals and other produce board of directors and has directed its members to reassess all the properties of the defunct National Milling Corporation (NMC).

Speaking to board members in Morogoro Region, the minister said from now on all unsold properties of NMC would be owned by the board.

He called upon the board members to enter into new contracts and supervise the properties to get rid of unprofessionalism by some people, who possessed the government’s properties like warehouses and various machines.

Further, the minister said the government’s intention to relaunch the board was to ensure supervised privatised properties in Mwanza, Iringa, Arusha and Dodoma regions.

“Challenges during the days of NMC and GAPEX must be addressed with care by the board,” said Dr Tizeba.

The minister also directed the new board to supply agricultural inputs to add value to farmers’ crop products and avoid problems on the acquisition of agro-inputs.

Speaking on the law establishing the board, the minister said it aimed at increasing farmer’s crops and the board had the obligation of doing business that aimed at increasing competition between traders and the government.

He said the competition aimed at increasing prices of farm products and obtaining a reliable market.

For his part, board acting director John Maige told board members that they would cooperate with farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain to improve crops.