TANZANIA – The Tanzanian National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has finalized a contract to export 650,000 tonnes of maize to Zambia during the current agricultural season, a move expected to strengthen trade ties between the two nations while bolstering Tanzania’s agricultural sector.
The maize, sourced from the 2022/23 reserves, will be exported through the Tanzania-Zambia Railway line via NFRA’s Songwe center.
This contract with Zambia marks a significant milestone for NFRA, reflecting its growing role in Tanzania’s agricultural economy and regional trade.
The agency’s proactive measures, underpinned by government support, are positioning Tanzania as a key player in the regional grain market while safeguarding the nation’s food reserves.
Dickson Nyika, NFRA’s zone manager in Tabora, confirmed the contract in an exclusive interview, stating that the agency is strategically mobilizing surplus maize from other zones to ensure the successful fulfillment of this substantial agreement.
Nyika highlighted that the Tabora center, which oversees the lake zone including regions such as Shinyanga, Tabora, Kigoma, Geita, Simiyu, Kagera, Mwanza, and Mara, has a storage capacity of 26,500 tonnes. This facility is pivotal in meeting the export demands as well as the national food security requirements.
In this season alone, the Tabora zone has set a target to purchase 10,000 tonnes of cereal crops; 4,000 tonnes of maize and 6,000 tonnes of paddy.
To date, the zone has successfully procured over 548 tonnes of maize and 127 tonnes of paddy, with six active buying centers working tirelessly to meet the targets.
The agency has entered into contracts with numerous small-scale farmers, Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS), and crop dealers, ensuring a steady supply of the required volumes.
Looking ahead, NFRA plans to expand its operations by increasing the number of crop procurement centers from six to ten and enhancing its storage capacity.
Nyika expressed gratitude for the government’s financial support, which has empowered NFRA to professionally execute its mandate, contributing to national food security.
In addition to its procurement and export activities, NFRA is committed to improving post-harvest practices among farmers.
The agency, in collaboration with local government leaders, will provide training on grain grading, pesticide management, and harvesting techniques to reduce post-harvest losses, which currently account for approximately 30% of grain losses.
The agency has also inaugurated a state-of-the-art silo complex in Babati District, Manyara Region, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance crop processing and storage capabilities.
Valued at TZS 18 billion (US$7.2 million), the ultramodern facility is designed to handle various crops, including maize, sunflower, barley, soybeans, and sorghum.
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