COMPETING demand for various cereals and other products is creating a huge untapped opportunity that calls for more investments in the agricultural sector.
The Cereals and Other Produce Board of
Tanzania (CPB) Marketing and Sales Officer, Mr George Mboje, said at the
ongoing Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) that there is
increased demand for cereals and other products for making animal feed,
breweries and exports.
“The rising population in the country is
creating high demand and could be one of the factors exerting pressure
on the supply of cereals and other products,” he said.
The sharp rising demand for animal feeds
for poultry, cattle and pigs is the new area which is creating pressure
in the supply of cereals and other products in the country, he further
explained.
Some of the cereals grown in the country
include maize, sorghum, wheat, barley, millet, oat and varieties of
beans. He pointed out, too, that there was growing demand for cereals
and other products by brewing firms for making hard liquor, creating
rising pressure on the supply side as a result.
Furthermore, he said, official data of
demand for cereals and other products for animal feeds and brewing firms
was inadequate. Similarly, hunger due to prolonged drought in some
neighbouring countries was exerting more pressure on the supply of
cereals and other products in the country.
However, he said the increased demand
for cereals and other products was an op portunity on which farmers and
other investors, particularly the private sector, should capitalise.
“Most of our farmers conduct subsistence
and small scale farming that does not guarantee increased supply for
cereals and other products,” he said.
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