Maize farmers in Tanga Region say unsold stocks now almost going bad

Farmers in Tanga Region have faulted the government over its failure to find market for the 55,000 tonnes of maize currently stored in warehouses and open space, while their standards of living are worsening.

Up to now, more than 300 tonnes of corn in Kilindi District have started
to go bad.

 Yet the National Food Reserve has not said a word on that.

Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, the farmers said they were motivated by the government to cultivate highly with the assurance that their crops would easily get market but that has not been the case.

They said the government had no reason to prohibit farmers from selling their produce in foreign countries, including Kenya as they had already built a customer base.

"At that time, we had our network of buyers so we were sure of selling our produce during the post harvest season and then we would prepare for the next season of cultivation. But now we don’t have the energy and morale to cultivate when there’s plenty of maize sitting in the warehouse, said Juma Shengodo, from Handeni District.

James Mhada said the situation has made it difficult for the farmers to engage in other economic activities due to lack of operating funds and therefore they cannot provide for their families.

Commenting, Tanga Regional Administrative Secretary Salum Chima said the local government has asked the National Food Security (NFRA) to be able purchase surplus maize while they continue seeking market abroad.

From Tanga Region, he said, FRA bought a total 10,000 tonnes of maize, 5,000 tonnes from Handeni District and 5,000 tonnes from Kilindi District.

However, he said that the move has left many farmers with excess produce, forcing the local government to search for market outside the country particularly in Kenya; so as to generate farmers' income hence enable them to proceed with other agricultural activities.

He said this year, the production of maize in the region has been remarkable as the farmers produced 201, 890 ha while they had targeted 211, 890.
Other crops cultivated in the region are cassava and Irish potatoes at 548,480, according to him.

Basic food demand in the region was 485 224 ha.