Tanzania to sell excess maize to Kenya... It is said the TZ has enough food with excess to export

[nngu007]

Monday, October 28, 2013

BY MALELA KASSIM



28th October 2013


The government said yesterday it is putting in place procedures for exportation of surplus maize as Kenya announced plans to buy substantial amounts to boost reserves of the cereal.


Kenya has announced its intention to import 850,000 90 kg bags of maize to boost its stocks before the end of this year according to the State Department of Agriculture (SDA).


The government statement comes a few days after it allowed traders to export excess food to neighboring countries following increased production.


Speaking to the Guardian yesterday in an exclusive telephone interview Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Food security and Co-operatives, Sophia Kaduma said the country has produced enough food with excess to export.


“Traders wishing to export maize will be required to obtain permit from the Ministry before exporting the food,’’ she clarified.


She said the move aimed at ensuring that the exported amount will not affect the food security in the country.


Kenya’s SDA food security report issued on Friday said: "Total imports from East Africa through cross-border trade expected between September to December are 850,000 bags of maize."


The import will mainly come from Tanzania and Uganda.
Traders import maize from Tanzania through Namanga and Isebania borders and Uganda, through Busia and Malaba entry points.


Similarly, private sector and relief agencies are projected to bring into the country by December 400,000 90-kilogramme bags of maize.


The maize import, according to SDA, will augment harvest from various parts of Kenya for both long and short rains seasons.


The maize stock, added to expected short rains production and inflows from Uganda and Tanzania will meet consumers demand.


"At an average consumption of 3.72 million bags per month, the available maize stocks will meet the national food requirements up to December, with an estimated surplus of 15 million bags at the end of the year," said the food security report.


The country's food security situation, according to SDA, will remain stable up to March next year, when a new planting season begins.


Kenya's estimated 42 million people consumes 3.72 million 90 kg of maize each month, up from 3.6 million about two years ago.


Prices of the staple have remained stable for the better part of this year to the relief of consumers. A 90 kg bag of maize has been going for an average of 35 dollars across various towns in Kenya.


The cost of the commodity has dropped marginally to 34 dollars currently as harvesting of the commodity enters final stages in the country's breadbasket areas.


However, according to the state department, Kenya has not achieved its maize production target for this year's long rains season. Out of the targeted 1.8 million hectares of production, the country achieved only 89 percent.


"The reduction in yields and production are attributed to delayed and reduced land preparation due to political campaign interference, very high rainfall and flash floods that affected some farmers in the major grain production areas, early cessation of long rains before crop maturity in many parts of the country and delayed supply of subsidized fertilizer," said the report.


As maize, the country's beans, rice and wheat stocks are expected to last the East African nation until the next planting season in March.





SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN





at 10:48 AM

 

[mugayasida]

Monday, October 28, 2013

BY MALELA KASSIM



28th October 2013


The government said yesterday it is putting in place procedures for exportation of surplus maize as Kenya announced plans to buy substantial amounts to boost reserves of the cereal.


Kenya has announced its intention to import 850,000 90 kg bags of maize to boost its stocks before the end of this year according to the State Department of Agriculture (SDA).


The government statement comes a few days after it allowed traders to export excess food to neighboring countries following increased production.


Speaking to the Guardian yesterday in an exclusive telephone interview Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Food security and Co-operatives, Sophia Kaduma said the country has produced enough food with excess to export.


“Traders wishing to export maize will be required to obtain permit from the Ministry before exporting the food,’’ she clarified.


She said the move aimed at ensuring that the exported amount will not affect the food security in the country.


Kenya’s SDA food security report issued on Friday said: "Total imports from East Africa through cross-border trade expected between September to December are 850,000 bags of maize."


The import will mainly come from Tanzania and Uganda.
Traders import maize from Tanzania through Namanga and Isebania borders and Uganda, through Busia and Malaba entry points.


Similarly, private sector and relief agencies are projected to bring into the country by December 400,000 90-kilogramme bags of maize.


The maize import, according to SDA, will augment harvest from various parts of Kenya for both long and short rains seasons.


The maize stock, added to expected short rains production and inflows from Uganda and Tanzania will meet consumers demand.


"At an average consumption of 3.72 million bags per month, the available maize stocks will meet the national food requirements up to December, with an estimated surplus of 15 million bags at the end of the year," said the food security report.


The country's food security situation, according to SDA, will remain stable up to March next year, when a new planting season begins.


Kenya's estimated 42 million people consumes 3.72 million 90 kg of maize each month, up from 3.6 million about two years ago.


Prices of the staple have remained stable for the better part of this year to the relief of consumers. A 90 kg bag of maize has been going for an average of 35 dollars across various towns in Kenya.


The cost of the commodity has dropped marginally to 34 dollars currently as harvesting of the commodity enters final stages in the country's breadbasket areas.


However, according to the state department, Kenya has not achieved its maize production target for this year's long rains season. Out of the targeted 1.8 million hectares of production, the country achieved only 89 percent.


"The reduction in yields and production are attributed to delayed and reduced land preparation due to political campaign interference, very high rainfall and flash floods that affected some farmers in the major grain production areas, early cessation of long rains before crop maturity in many parts of the country and delayed supply of subsidized fertilizer," said the report.


As maize, the country's beans, rice and wheat stocks are expected to last the East African nation until the next planting season in March.





SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN





at 10:48 AM

Licha ya kwamba si kweli kuwa kinatosha lakini pia hii tabia ya kuwauzia wakenya kila kizuri chetu huku wao wakitutenga na jumuiya feki haikubaliki.Kama ni mimi singewauzia kenya hata punje moja mpaka watanzania watakapotosheka na chakula maana hii leo wanaangamia kwa njaa

 

[SaaMbovu]

Kama mahindi yapo kweli wauze maana hata bei itapanda sana na itakuwa faida kwa wakulima. La sivyo tutakuja kununua chakula tena kutoka kwa Wakenya ambacho sisi tuliwauzia.