TANZANIA – The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) of Tanzania has 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), this ultramodern facility is designed to handle various crops, including maize, sunflower, barley, soybeans, and sorghum.
The Babati facility has eight modern silos capable of storing up to 27,400 tonnes of grain, playing a crucial role in the country’s food reserve strategy.
According to Efraim January, the head of the complex, the facility can process a 30-ton truck of maize grains within just 30 to 40 minutes, showcasing its rapid processing capabilities.
The facility is equipped with a variety of digital tools designed for different stages of crop processing, including grain sampling, cleaning, drying, packaging, and storage.
These systems ensure that the crops meet both local and international standards. One key feature is the automated maize cleaning process, which removes impurities such as dust, threads, and broken grains, ensuring the final product is stored under optimal conditions.
Discussing the maize grain cleaning process, which is a major activity at the center, Eng. January explained that the facility uses a modern automated system to remove fine dust, threads, and broken grains. The refined maize is then packed and stored under optimal moisture conditions of 13.5 percent.
“Our vision is to deliver processed and packaged crops to consumers in the best possible condition, adhering to recommended health standards,” he stated.
This complex is part of NFRA’s broader strategy to strengthen Tanzania’s food security. The agency has significantly increased its food storage capacity in recent years, now able to store up to 501,000 tonnes of grain across the country.
This expansion includes the construction of new facilities and modern warehouses that can preserve the quality of grains for extended periods, crucial for stabilizing market prices and supporting both domestic and regional food needs.
NFRA’s role extends beyond storage; the agency is actively involved in purchasing surplus crops from farmers at fair prices, thereby supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring that Tanzania can meet its food security needs even in times of scarcity.
The complex also includes procurement centers that purchase maize from local farmers based on government standards, ensuring a steady supply for national reserves.
The Babati complex stands out for its advanced technology, which has attracted a diverse clientele, including crop traders from neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi.
This influx is driven by the facility’s efficiency and the quality assurance systems it offers, which are cloud-connected for real-time monitoring and management.
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