Govt promises to provide reliable market for cereals

By Malela Kassim

A silo for the storing of grain located in Dar es Salaam. The government has promised to provide reliable market for cereals through the Cereals and other Produce Board (CPB).

The government has said it is committed to provide a reliable market for cereal crop in the country through the new Cereals and other Produce Board (CPB) which is expected to start purchasing the crops after the passing of 2014/2015 government budget mid this year.



In an exclusive interview with this paper in Dar es Salaam yesterday, CPB Director General, Eliampaa Kilanga said since its official introduction in 2011, his board has been building capacity in various fields including board and staff structure, legal and regulation requirements as well as recruitment.

His statement comes at a time when agricultural stakeholders in the country are questioning the role of the board in resolving the challenges of farmers, especially on difficulties to secure reliable markets for surplus cereal produce which threatens their ability to cultivate in the next season.

“We promise that soon after the adoption of the 2014/2015 annual budget mid this year, we will start buying all the farmers’ cereals at reasonable prices and provide them with all necessary information regarding the crop’s market,” he said.

He said currently the board is waiting for staff to be recruited through the Public service recruitment secretariat (PSRS).

Among the produce expected to be procured by the new board are rice, beans, nuts, lentils, millet, sesame and maize.

For his part, Agricultural Non State Actors Forum (ANSAF) Executive Director Audax Rukonge said there is a need for the board to be closer to the farmers.

“The board has got members and a director for almost three years now and it is allocated with enough funds annually. How come it fails to advertise itself so that stakeholders can be aware of its work?” Rukonge queried.

Challenging the functions and roles of the board he said that by involving itself directly in the purchase of crops, it will be doing business contrary to its role given by the government.

“The Cereals and Other Produce Act Number 19 of 2009, which states that ‘the main function of the board is to carry out commercial activities and such other activities as are necessary, advantageous or proper for the development of the cereals and other produce industry’. This means that now the government is doing business,’’ he said.

He said it would be better for the CPB to remain as the regulator of the development of cereals and other produce rather than operating in competition with the private sector.

“In fact we don’t see the difference between CPB and the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) as both are government bodies and they are both going to purchase crops from the farmers. Farmers need to know where to market their products and get educated on how to enhance their business. The government’s decision to buy their crops should be the last option,” he said. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN