M a r k e t N e w s
New Regulating Body in the Works for Tanzania's Cereal Industry
Posted on : Tuesday , 17th October 2017
A new regulatory authority for new cereals and other produce is in the works and is set to begin operations before the year is out. One of its main functions will be to set a cap price for a range of crops. Acting Director-General of the Cereals and Other Produce Board of Tanzania (CPB), Mr. John Maige broke the news in a recent interview with TBC FM.
Mr. Maige described the new regulatory body as an important instrument that will assist farmers to fetch good and fair prices for their crops. It will also act as an incentive to increase the volume of production while also keeping post-harvest losses to a minimum.
Competing demand is prevalent in the business of diverse cereals and farm products excluding food, which can also be very useful in breweries, exports as well as animal feed. In recent times, farmers have failed to price their products at good prices. There has also been a rise in the nation’s population, which could put further pressure on the cereals and products supply.
Mr. Maige, however, remains optimistic with the Cereal Board set to play a proactive role in adding more value to agro-products for both local and international markets. The board had begun its operations after the Act of Parliament of 2009 that gave them control over the National Milling Corporation’s (NMC) former assets.
The board will be taking up all initiatives with regard to the promotion of contract farming and safeguarding the interests of growers.
“The government policy is currently prohibiting selling and particularly exporting unprocessed agriculture products, thus for the cereal board is the huge opportunity,” he said.
He added that currently, the board is finalizing the set up of Dodoma and Mwanza plants for value addition and processing of varied agriculture crops prior to entering the markets.
Source : Business News Africa
