NFRA announces plan to expand storage capacity

DODOMA: THE National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has announced its strategic plan to increase its storage capacity to between 700,000 and 1,000,000 tonnes of grain by June 2025.

NFRA Director General Dr Komba announced this plan on Sunday, highlighting a shift in the agency’s focus from solely storing grains for domestic use to also engaging in local and international sales.

“As of June 2024, our storage capacity was 400,000 tonnes. We are working diligently to achieve our new target,” Dr Komba said, noting that the plan’s implementation is progressing well.

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The expansion is driven by increasing grain demand, particularly from neighboring countries.

“This year, NFRA has entered into contracts with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia to supply a total of 1,150,000 tonnes of grain. We have also signed a contract with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),” Dr Komba added.

He emphasised that the rising food demand necessitates the expansion to meet market needs.

“This presents a significant opportunity for the agency, helping farmers and traders increase their incomes and boosting the country’s economy through foreign exchange earnings,” he explained.

Dr Komba noted that NFRA’s decision to enter the market was driven by the availability of sufficient grain reserves for national security, as well as a surplus that can be utilised for export.

“We are also planning to purchase 600,000 tonnes of grain from farmers as part of our storage programme. We are committed to meeting farmers’ expectations and transforming their lives,” he said.