Tanzania faces shortage of wheat grain

DESPITE the abundance of many agricultural industries using wheat grain in manufacturing their products, the country still experiences a huge deficit of the product, thus forcing it to import the majority consignment from Brazil, Ukraine and Russia, it has been learnt. The Director of National Food Security Karimu Mtambo said in Dar es Salaam on Thursday this week that, Tanzania is faced with a deficit of about 42 percent of the required stock so as to supplement the entire rate of consumption in the country. He told  this blog during an exclusive interview that, due to the impending shortages of wheat grains, the government is striving much to regulate the availability of the product in the local market bearing its importance to consumers in the country. In view of this, however he noted that, the government continues to issue permits to local importing companies who are licensed such as Bahkresa group of companies, Azam Flour Mills, Pembe Limited and many others including the Mohammed Enterprises Ltd to cater for the need. The aim of the government is to supplement the deficit of wheat grain for the entire consumption of the product by individuals as well as the industries that use the product to manufacture products made up of wheat grains in the country. He said although Tanzania is self sufficient in food, still the country lacks enough cereals such as wheat grains for local consumption, an aspect that forces the government to engage in the importation of large quantities of such products. When asked why Mohammed Enterprises Ltd has been licensed to import maize grains and yet the country claims to be sufficient in maize productions, in his clarification he noted the necessity of licensing the company together with others is for the emergency purposes if the shortages occurs at such unlikely time of the year. Two weeks ago, Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) issued a six month ultimatum to the importing companies of maize flours and wheat as well as vegetable oils to ensure that, the imported products have enough nutrients in it. 

Piles of food stocks at National Food Serve Godown in Dar es Salaam.

The nutrients that the TFDA insisted are minerals and vitamins which it said are insufficient in such food contents a result of which consumers of such products are at risk of being infected by diseases caused as a result of lack of proper nutrients in their bodies. TFDA’s Director of Food Safety, Raymond Wigenge confirmed in Dar es Salaam during an exclusive interview with this blog and noted that, such foodstuffs are mixed up with insufficient contents of food nutrients during production with low percentage rate, and when consumed do not build up human bodies as required.  He noted that, foodstuff such as maize flour, wheat and vegetable oils do lack enough nutrients like Iron,  Zinc, and vitamins A, E and B12 bearing the fact that vitamins and mineral food components helps to protect human body against minor diseases. The decision by TFDA follows a study report conducted by Tanzania Food Centre (TFC) which revealed its findings that in Tanzania there is a deficiency of some vitamins and other minerals on human bodies which has been discovered to be lacking in some foodstuffs and edible vegetable oils.  However, he noted that, with the current escalating situation, his organization has seen the need to inform importers to liaise with producers to add more nutrients to such foodstuffs. However, he further noted that, TFDA has embarked effectively on National Fortification Programme (NFP) whose aim is to minimize effects associated with micro-nutrient deficiency in the country. Elaborating on the initiatives and measures to be undertaken under the programme, he said both local and foreign food producers and sellers would be examined according to the newly introduced guidelines to start effectively end of this year. Under the new guidelines, TFDA will look at the imported foodstuffs such as Maize flour, Wheat flour and vegetable oils in order to verify their contents if they conform to the level of food standards required by TFDA. He noted that, the importation of bulk consignments would be directed according to the newly established guidelines which TFDA has prepared and would effectively start end of this year. These guidelines are in accordance with the types of food imported.