Dar es Salaam, July 1 -- THE National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), Sumbawanga Zone is expecting to start purchasing 50,000 tonnes of maize in mid -July this year.

The NFRA Sumbawanga Zone Acting Manager, Mr Marwa Range made such revelation during an exclusive interview held by this paper here in municipality.

He emphasized that the agency which serves both Rukwa and Katavi region respectively have started purchasing 5,000 tonnes of maize being a last year harvest.

The procurement has taken off officially on May 25, this year at the retail cost of 550/-per kg in Urban and 500/-in rural areas.

"The retail prices offered by our food reserve urgency of 550/-per kgms of maize in Urban and 500/-in rural will be a great reliefs to the sellers...