Maize Export |
The Prime Minister,
Mr Kassim Majaliwa told the Parliament this morning that the government
was still collecting data on the adequacy of maize in the country
before lifting the export ban, noting however that spot checks show that
a number of regions within the country are still facing food shortages.
"Several places in
Mwanza and Geita for instance have food shortages," he said responding
to a question from Ms Ritta Kabati (Special Seats - CCM).
In her key
question, Ms Kabati wanted to know why the government was sustaining a
ban on maize exports at a time when some regions have had surplus
harvests.
But according to Mr
Majaliwa, apart from disparities in harvests among regions within the
country, there is also a change in food preferences among various
tribes.
"For instance, a
good number of the Chaggas and the Hayas have now shifted from eating
bananas to ugari as their staple food. This change means that we now
need more maize than in the past," he said.
Besides, said Mr
Majaliwa, various countries in the region have reported poor harvests
and have requested for maize from Tanzania.
"The Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan have officially written to us,
requesting that we export our maize to them. This shows that the food
situation in the region is not good and if we allow uncontrolled
exports, we may soon have serious shortages across the country," he
said, congratulating the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Ms Anna
Mgwira for impounding several trucks - loaded with maize which was
destined for exports - in her area.
He said available
data show that during the past three days, a total of 103 trucks, loaded
with maize, have been seized in various areas. "This shows the
magnitude of maize scarcity within the region. If we have managed to
impound 103 trucks between Eid El Fitr and today (Thursday), can you
imagine what the situation will be in one month if we lift the ban?" he
emphasized.
Mr Majaliwa - who
doubles as Member of Parliament for Ruangwa - warned that should the
government get convinced that the seized maize was destined for export,
it will be nationalized and be used to fill the national grain reserves.
The trucks, he said, will also remain in the hands of the police force for good.Banning food exports is also a deliberate move to bring the inflation down.
However, said Mr
Majaliwa, people willing to export maize are free to do so as long as
they seek approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
"Our goal is to
ensure that we export value-added products. If they seek approval from
the ministry, they will be told to mill the maize before exporting and
that is what we want as a country. We want to export maize flour," he
said.
Dodoma. The
government has reiterated that the ban on maize exports is here to stay
and that those trying to go contrary to the directive may face the
music.
The Prime Minister,
Mr Kassim Majaliwa told the Parliament this morning that the government
was still collecting data on the adequacy of maize in the country
before lifting the export ban, noting however that spot checks show that
a number of regions within the country are still facing food shortages.
"Several places in
Mwanza and Geita for instance have food shortages," he said responding
to a question from Ms Ritta Kabati (Special Seats - CCM).
In her key
question, Ms Kabati wanted to know why the government was sustaining a
ban on maize exports at a time when some regions have had surplus
harvests.
But according to Mr
Majaliwa, apart from disparities in harvests among regions within the
country, there is also a change in food preferences among various
tribes.
"For instance, a
good number of the Chaggas and the Hayas have now shifted from eating
bananas to ugari as their staple food. This change means that we now
need more maize than in the past," he said.
Besides, said Mr
Majaliwa, various countries in the region have reported poor harvests
and have requested for maize from Tanzania.
"The Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan have officially written to us,
requesting that we export our maize to them. This shows that the food
situation in the region is not good and if we allow uncontrolled
exports, we may soon have serious shortages across the country," he
said, congratulating the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Ms Anna
Mgwira for impounding several trucks - loaded with maize which was
destined for exports - in her areaHe said available
data show that during the past three days, a total of 103 trucks, loaded
with maize, have been seized in various areas. "This shows the
magnitude of maize scarcity within the region. If we have managed to
impound 103 trucks between Eid El Fitr and today (Thursday), can you
imagine what the situation will be in one month if we lift the ban?" he
emphasized.
Mr Majaliwa - who
doubles as Member of Parliament for Ruangwa - warned that should the
government get convinced that the seized maize was destined for export,
it will be nationalized and be used to fill the national grain reserves.
The trucks, he said, will also remain in the hands of the police force for good.
Banning food exports is also a deliberate move to bring the inflation down.
However, said Mr
Majaliwa, people willing to export maize are free to do so as long as
they seek approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
"Our goal is to
ensure that we export value-added products. If they seek approval from
the ministry, they will be told to mill the maize before exporting and
that is what we want as a country. We want to export maize flour," he
said.
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