Farmers in Tanzania’s Rukwa region earn US$28M from maize sales

TANZANIA – Farmers in Tanzania’s Rukwa Region are set to earn over 70 billion Tanzanian shillings (US$28 million) after selling their maize to the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) during the current financial year, marking a record-breaking season for the region.

Recent statistics from the NFRA’s Sumbawanga Zone Office reveal that the agency has already purchased 100,072.8 tonnes of maize in just four months, from July to November. This far exceeds the previous year’s total of 60,000 tonnes.

Andrew Kanyika, NFRA’s Sumbawanga Zonal Manager, attributed the success to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to raise the maize retail price from 600 to 700 Tanzanian shillings (US$0.24 to US$0.28) per kilogram.

This price adjustment, combined with the introduction of a maize seed subsidy, has bolstered farmers’ incomes and incentivized higher maize production.

This season is historic. The price increase and subsidies have encouraged small-scale farmers, large-scale traders, and cooperative societies to sell their maize through our centers,” Kanyika said.

So far, NFRA has spent 69.9 billion Tanzanian shillings (US$27.96 million) to purchase maize at centers across Sumbawanga, Kalambo, and Nkasi districts.

Farmers have already received 48.3 billion Tanzanian shillings (US$19.3 million), with the remaining payments of 21.8 billion Tanzanian shillings ($8.7 million USD) scheduled by the end of the month.

According to Kanyika, a newly implemented digital system has streamlined the purchasing process, enabling faster data transmission and quicker payment authorizations.

All our purchasing centers are now equipped with this system. It has greatly enhanced efficiency and improved service delivery to farmers,” Kanyika said.

According to farmers, the higher price of TZS 700 (USD 0.29) per kilogram has boosted their incomes, and the introduction of seed subsidies has made it easier for them to sustain and increase maize production.

Many farmers expressed optimism that these measures would continue to stabilize their earnings in the coming years.

Grain dealers have also praised the government’s efforts to streamline the purchasing process and ensure timely payments.

 “This season has been one of the best in recent years. The government’s interventions have clearly made a difference,” said a representative of a local cooperative society.

Alongside the price increase, a subsidy on maize seeds was introduced, further incentivizing farmers to engage with the NFRA. As a result, both small-scale farmers and large-scale traders flocked to sell their produce to the agency.

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