NFRA releases 400,000 tonnes to beat foodstuff shortage

DAILY NEWS Reporter

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Florens Turuka

 THE National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has released 300,937.736 tonnes to meet foodstuff shortages in and outside Tanzania in the current fiscal year.

Launching the agency’s Workers’ Council, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Florens Turuka, paid tribute to the agency for acting swiftly and timely to avert food crises, hoarding and price hiking.

Giving examples of the NFRA intervention, the PS said the agency released a total of 32,431.324 tonnes to meet food shortage challenges because of various calamities that struck a number of areas in the country. Furthermore, he said, some districts reported insignificant harvests and a likelihood of severe foodstuff shortfalls.

The permanent secretary explained that under a special arrangement, the agency sold to traders 239,322.298 tonnes of foodstuffs to offset the shortage and stave off hoarding and price hiking.

Dr Turuka also said that the NFRA sold to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 3,005 tonnes of foodstuffs that were shipped to other calamity-hit countries to stave off starvation or severe food shortages.

The PS called for innovative approach in dealing with the following challenges: The agency, he said, faced the challenge of ensuring safety and quality of foodstuffs in its reserves. It also has inadequate funds to buy foodstuffs from farmers.

Dr Turuka underscored the importance of the council in solving the challenges, calling on members to recommend ways that will improve NFRA’s productivity under the present circumstances.

He pointed out that the council will have an elaborate timetable for lawful sittings, which they will strictly observe, adding that he was happy to learn that it played a major role in formulating a new scheme of service with attractive emoluments.

He promised full government support in tackling NFRA’s challenges, especially in relation to filling vacant positions. On positions at the agency, Dr Turuka called on the agency to identify positions for intervention by the ministry, especially those needing ministerial permits.

The PS said in a strategic institution like NFRA, it was important to ensure continuity in expertise and experience. The council was established as joint agreement signed between NFRA and Tanzania Union of Government and Health Employees (TUGHE).