Magufuli orders Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders to remove crops trade bottlenecks
PRESIDENT John Magufuli has directed for the removal of barriers and ironing out of bureaucracy in the purchase and transportation of crops, including the consignment of maize bought by the World Food Programme (WFP).
President Magufuli issued the directive to the Ministry of Agriculture, Police Force, Tanzania National Road Agency (Tanroads), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRA) and Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) after he witnessed the signing of an agreement between the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and World Food Programme (WFP) in which the latter will purchase 36,000 tonnes of maize worth 21bn/-.
According to the President, all the mentioned entities had the duty to remove the barriers and do away with bureaucracy so that farmers in the country could benefit from the opportunity.
The President hailed WFP for its decision to buy maize from Tanzania to serve refugees in countries with food shortage, ordering NFRA to fully exploit the rare opportunity for the benefit of farmers and the entire country.
The Head of State implored the food reserve agency to sell the entire consignment of maize reaching 45,000 tonnes requested by WFP so that the funds collected could be used to purchase the produce from farmers.
“Just give WFP all the 45,000 tonnes they requested and even if they request 100,000 or 200,000 tonnes just give them. Once you have received the money go to farmers and buy their crops instead of leaving them grappling with markets for their produce,” the President told NFRA officials.
President Magufuli challenged NFRA to professionally perform its duties and get rid of the tendency of waiting for funds from the government to buy food crops from farmers every year.
He raised concern of the tendency of selling food crops to traders through clandestine ways and at throw away prices, denying the agency of good money if the crops were sold on competitive strategy.
The President urged traders to do away with the tendency of complaining, instead he wanted them to do business transparently and the government would support them.
Acting NFRA Director General, Ms Vumilia Zikankuba and WFP Country Representative Michael Danford signed the agreement in the presence of the President.
Speaking after the signing of the purchase agreement, Mr Danford said the consignment of 36,000 tonnes purchased by WFP was part of 160,000 tonnes of maize worth 132.2bn/- purchased by UN Organisation in 2018, which is an increase of 63.6bn/- of the funds spent by WFP in 2017.
He said due to good existing relation between WFP and Tanzania that has lasted for over 40 years, the UN agency came up with a strategic plan in 2017 that is in line with the country’s development strategy of being one of the main buyers of food crops in Tanzania, to serve refugees in countries with food shortages.
He promised to increase the amount of food crops purchased by the UN food agency. He also promised to continue cooperating with NFRA and other entities, including TRC that received 1.4bn/- from the agency to renovate its 40 wagons.