Tanzania is making a significant push to bolster its food security, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan directing the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to expand its grain storage capacity to a massive three million tonnes by 2030.
This ambitious goal was announced during the President's inspection of new modern silos and warehouses under construction in Mpanda Municipality, Katavi Region. These facilities will increase the region's storage capacity from 5,000 tonnes to 28,000 tonnes, a project valued at 14 billion Tanzanian shillings ($5.2 million).
"This project, worth 14 billion Tanzanian shillings ($5.2M), will help the country address food insecurity and reduce post-harvest losses," she stated, emphasizing the importance of the initiative.
This expansion of storage facilities is part of the Tanzanian government's commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and shifting from subsistence farming towards commercial agriculture.
The President directed the regional government to work with the NFRA to identify areas for further food storage projects, solidifying Katavi's position as a key region for food storage.
The leader highlighted the significant increase in the Agriculture Ministry's budget, which has tripled over the past three years, from 460 billion shillings ($172 million) in 2020/21 to 1.248 trillion shillings ($467 million) in the current fiscal year. She instructed that these funds be allocated effectively to building irrigation schemes, promoting extension services, procuring fertilizers, and constructing more food storage facilities.