DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 27 -- AFTER hoarding maize stocks for months, traders and middle men in Rukwa region have started selling a bag of 100 kilogrammes at between 80,000/- and 90,000/-.
Equally, the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) - Sumbawanga Zone has only purchased 676 tonnes of maize since the maize purchasing season officially started in July 22, this year, because most farmers have sold the produce to traders and middlemen at throw away prices.
The food agency was expecting to purchase 15,000 tonnes of maize this season, but it failed to meet the target due to sudden increase of maize prices in the region.
A survey conducted by the Sunday News here in Sumbawanga Town and Nkasi District showed that most farmers in rural areas have...