Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, has urged organizations offering food aid to procure supplies from within the country rather than relying on foreign donations.
Speaking at a meeting in Dar es Salaam, Bashe emphasized the government’s desire to support local farmers, ensuring that relief efforts contribute to Tanzania’s agricultural sector.
Concerns have arisen over social media reports stating that fortified foods like rice, pinto beans, and sunflower oil, sourced from the United States, were distributed to schools in Dodoma and Mara.
This initiative, backed by the US Department of Agriculture, aimed to provide nutritious meals to over 300 schools while promoting sustainable practices like school gardens and rainwater harvesting.
Bashe criticized the import of such foodstuffs, insisting that Tanzania has ample supplies of rice and beans.
He suggested that the funds spent on US agriculture should instead support Tanzanian farmers, reinforcing the need to prioritize local procurement of grains and other food products.
The minister highlighted the agriculture sector’s growth, pointing out increased budget allocations, with the next fiscal year expected to exceed 1 trillion shillings.
He also noted government efforts to revive the Tanzania Fertilizer Co. (TFC), which has seen a boost in capital to distribute fertilizers across the country.
Additionally, Bashe mentioned the government’s seven-year plan to drill 67,000 water boreholes, aiming to enhance irrigation for small-scale farmers.
Agriculture remains vital to Tanzania’s economy, contributing 28 percent to GDP, with 70 percent of the population relying on the sector for their livelihood.