Tanzania’s agriculture minister tells WFP to either comply with maize price or shut down centres
Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe speaks to a farmer at Mgazini Maize Trading Centre in Peramiho, Songea on Wednesday. PHOTO |EDWIN MJWAHUZI
What you need to know:
- Mr Bashe emphasized that WFP agents buying maize below Sh500 per kilo were violating the terms of an agreement made with the government.
Songea. Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe has directed the World Food Programme (WFP) to purchase maize directly from Tanzanian farmers at the government-approved price of Sh700 per kilogram or shut down its procurement centres.
Speaking at the Kizuka Maize Purchasing Centre on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Mr Bashe emphasized that WFP agents buying maize below Sh500 per kilo were violating the terms of an agreement made with the government.
“This is unacceptable,” the minister said, addressing a group of farmers gathered at the centre operated by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA). “The WFP is required to pay Sh700 per kilogram as per the agreement.
They must comply with this directive or cease operations and purchase their maize through the government."
Farmers have faced delays in selling their produce, often spending weeks at the centre while cleaning and grading their maize to meet quality standards. Mr Bashe urged them to be patient and not resort to selling their crops to private buyers, who typically offer lower prices.
He criticized private buyers for purchasing maize cheaply, processing it, and reselling it to NFRA at a profit, which he said exploits farmers.
“Private buyers are taking advantage of our farmers, purchasing at prices well below Sh700, only to sell it to NFRA for a profit margin of Sh250 per kilo,” Bashe remarked, warning that this practice is contributing to rural poverty.
In a separate announcement, Mr Bashe revealed that the government plans to establish mechanization centres across the country.
These centres would allow farmers to lease agricultural machinery at subsidized rates, dramatically reducing the cost of tractor rentals from the current Sh120,000 per acre to between Sh35,000 and Sh40,000 per acre.
“The introduction of these mechanization centres will significantly ease the financial burden on farmers and enhance productivity,” Bashe added.
The government’s push to stabilize maize prices and improve agricultural efficiency comes amid rising concerns about food security and fair compensation for farmers.
