The Latest

WFP to Purchase 60,000 Tons of Maize from Tanzanian Farmers for $22 Million

June 14, 2024
2 minute read
Minister for Agriculture Hon. Hussein Bashe (left) and WFP Country Representative Sarah Gordon-Gibson

Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe (MP), has announced a significant initiative to support Tanzanian farmers.

From July 15 to 20 this year, the government, through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), will commence purchasing crops from farmers at designated centers, which will be announced in due course.

Minister Bashe made this announcement during a Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreements between the Cereals and Other Produce Board of Tanzania (CPB), NFRA, and the World Food Programme (WFP) in Dodoma on June 5th, 2024. The agreements include the sale of 60,000 tons of white maize from CPB to WFP, valued at USD 22 million.

Tanzania Investment Guide 2026 Free Edition

Minister Bashe emphasized that the government is committed to securing reliable markets and anticipates signing additional crop sale agreements with WFP. He acknowledged WFP’s ongoing contribution to providing direct market opportunities for small-scale farmers of maize, sorghum, beans, and other crops, which significantly advances the agricultural sector in Tanzania.

During the ceremony, WFP’s Country Representative, Ms. Sarah Gordon-Gibson, reiterated WFP’s commitment to collaborating with the Tanzanian government to ensure food security, nutrition, and market access for farmers. She highlighted the historical partnership between WFP and Tanzania, which dates back to 2009, focusing on enabling smallholder farmers and stimulating local markets.

Ms. Gordon-Gibson provided an overview of WFP’s contributions:

  • From 2011 to 2023, WFP purchased over 223,000 tons of white maize and nearly 4,000 tons of sorghum from NFRA, valued at over USD 60 million.
  • In 2024, WFP plans to buy 60,000 tons of white maize from NFRA and CPB for approximately USD 22 million.
  • WFP has leased NFRA warehouses in Dodoma since 2011, at a cost of USD 213,000.
  • Between 2017 and May 2024, WFP bought 54,000 tons of maize, beans, and sorghum worth USD 15 million from CPB.
  • WFP also rented CPB warehouse facilities for USD 96,000 and collaborated on maize milling services in Dodoma and Iringa for USD 84,000.

Minister Bashe assured that the government will continue to uphold the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and WFP.

Want to know more about Agriculture in Tanzania? Our free overview of the Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Agriculture, plus key sectors and investment opportunities. The complete 141-page edition includes policies, taxation, key regulations, full macroeconomic data, and sources, and is also available at no cost upon completion of a short form.

Download Free OverviewGet the Full Edition for Free
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Related Posts
EU-Tanzania Roadshow 2026 APM Terminals at Maasvlakte Rotterdam
Read More

EU–Tanzania Roadshow Ends With Rotterdam and Antwerp Port Visits as Tanzania Pitches Port, Rail and Logistics Opportunities to European Companies

The EU-Tanzania roadshow ended in Antwerp on 6 October 2026 after port visits in Rotterdam, with Tanzania's port and rail authorities pitching openings for terminal operators, EPC contractors, private rail operators and digital rolling stock tracking, while rail operator Vecturis, minerals logistics group Polytra, heavy lifting company Sarens and marine data company GEOxyz outlined their plans in Tanzania. The EU said it will join the World Bank and the EIB, which has a formal financing request, in supporting the Dar es Salaam port expansion, and offered Global Gateway guarantees, equity and feasibility funding for company projects screened by member states.
EU-Tanzania Roadshow 2026 The Hague day 1 opening Mkumbo
Read More

EU–Tanzania Roadshow Reaches The Hague With Coffee, Cashew, Critical Minerals, and Port Investment Pitches

The EU-Tanzania roadshow reached The Hague on 5 October 2026 for its final leg, where Tanzania pitched coffee and cashew processing, wheat and edible oils, critical minerals, the new Bagamoyo and Mwambani ports on the mainland, Zanzibar's Mangapwani port hub, four dry ports, and two new lines of the standard gauge railway network to around 90 businesses. Agriculture emerged as the priority sector for European and Dutch investors, with the best opportunities in food production and value addition, backed by Dutch expertise as the world's second-largest agricultural exporter.
Read More

Tanzanian Delegation Visits Agribusiness, AI, Data Centre and Railway Facilities on Day Two of EU–Tanzania Roadshow in Italy

On 2 October, Tanzanian agribusiness and digital delegations visited facilities in Emilia-Romagna during the EU–Tanzania roadshow’s Italian leg. On the second day of the EU–Tanzania roadshow in Italy, the agribusiness delegation visited Apofruit–Almaverde, Martini Group and Unitec to examine post-harvest handling and cold storage, livestock and food operations, and fruit sorting, grading and training. A separate group led by Deputy Minister Pius Chaya visited the University of Bologna, DAMA Tecnopolo and Bologna San Donato to learn about artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, supercomputing, data centres and railway testing.
EU–Tanzania Investment and Business Forum 2026–2027 roadshow opening at Cesena Fiera, with blue Global Gateway and TanzaniaInvest branding
Read More

EU–Tanzania Roadshow Continues in Italy With Rice, Cashew, Coffee and Renewable Energy Investment Pitches in Cesena

At the Cesena stop of the EU–Tanzania roadshow, Tanzanian agencies presented investment opportunities in rice, cashew and coffee processing, renewable energy, power transmission and digital infrastructure. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited USD 8.6 billion in foreign investment registered in Tanzania in the last year, up 56%, while EU and Italian institutions outlined grants, guarantees, export credit and blended finance.

Want to know more about investing in Tanzania? Our free overview of the Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers the economy, key sectors and investment opportunities. The complete 141-page edition, which includes policies, taxation, key regulations, full macroeconomic data and sources, is also available at no cost upon completion of a short form.

Download Free Overview Get the Full Edition for Free