Maize Production in Tanzania is expected to reach 18 Million tons in 2023.
That should be triple harvest from the current 6 million tons of grain that was being harvested annually until 2022.
This new development, as announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Arusha, comes at a time when the neighboring country of Kenya has been suffering shortage of maize flour, leading to hike prices.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan disclosed that Tanzania was determined to increase its maize production to reach nearly 20 million tons, through proper planning and irrigation boost.
The Tanzanian Head of State points out that the country and in fact the entire East African region has the capacity to feed itself with a surplus for export.
Speaking during the High-Level Meeting of Heads of State in Arusha, President Samia called for intensive agriculture through irrigation and rainwater harvesting in order to realize and if possible surpass the goal.
The Tanzanian leader stresses the need to avail affordable and manageable loans to farmers enabling them to purchase inputs to boost agricultural production.
Of major concern to President Hassan is pre-harvest and post-harvest losses.
“These are negatively impacting agricultural production in the region, therefore we have to take into consideration proper storage and crop preservation both being crucial to attaining food security.”
Mama Samia also called for the establishment of a food balance sheet for the region that would state what each country produces and on what scale.
Citing the case study of Burundi, President Hassan points out that Bujumbura is a good example of agricultural transformation because the country is currently witnessing bumper food production due to good governance and an improved security situation.
Tanzania is among the top five largest Maize Producing Countries in Africa behind South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt.
On his part, Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni says his country relies on Rice from Tanzania which is of better quality as well as being affordable compared to cereal produced in Uganda.
On his part, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye said that EAC is doing well in terms of inter-linking its markets through infrastructure development and allowing free movement of persons.
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