Maize price increases NFRA purchases

RUKWA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan’s bold decision to raise a retail price of maize from 600/- to 700/- per kilogramme has yielded tremendous results during this purchasing season in Rukwa region.

The recent statistics released by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) Sumbawanga Zone Office show that the agency has purchased 88,000 tonnes of maize during the period of three months from August this year.

The record has surpassed the previous maize purchasing seasons including that of last year in which the food agency purchased only 60,000 tonnes of maize.

During her three-day working tour on August this year, President Samia in her significant move to boost agricultural sector raised the retail price of maize and introduced a subsidy on maize seeds. The president’s decision was met with widespread approval from farmers and grain dealers who turned in large number and sold their maize to NFRA.

The NFRA Sumbawanga Zonal Officer, Mr Marwa Range told the ‘Daily News‘ during an interview held in his office this week that the agency has set a target to purchase 100,000 tonnes this season.

ALSO READ: NFRA to buy 100,000 tonnes of maize in Rukwa

“The agency has already purchased 88,0000 tonnes of maize and until the end of the maize purchasing exercise the agency will purchase 90,000 tonnes of maize, practically we have exhausted the exercise as there is only 2,000 tonnes of maize to be purchased from farmers” he said.

Mr Range said this purchasing maize season is ‘ historic’ as he attributed the success story to bold decision of President Samia to raise the retail price of maize.

Expounding further, Mr Range said the NFRA allowed small scale farmers, large scale traders and cooperative societies to sell their maize to the agency purchasing centres at Mazwi, Kanondo and Laela in Sumbawanga District. Other centres in the list are Mwimbi, Matai and Mkombo in Kalambo District and Namanyere, Kasu and Ntalamila in Nkasi District.

“The produce is inspected for quality and sellers are paid within five to 14 days as per government procedures,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Range noted that during this season, the purchase of maize is done by using a new digital system that enhanced efficiency in its grain purchasing operations.

ALSO READ: Food vendors spice up tourism with traditional dishes

He further explained that the new digital system facilitated the rapid and efficient transmission of seller information to the relevant departments, thereby simplifying the payment process.

“All our maize purchasing centres are using new digital system in effort to provide better and efficient services to farmers or clients during purchasing operations,” he said.

He highlighted that the new system has improved efficiency, by quickly sending seller information for prompt execution and payment authorisation.