Dar mulls bulk procurement for fertiliser imports

THE government is planning for bulk procurement in fertiliser imports to regulate prices and boost agriculture production in the country.

The Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba told reporters at the ongoing second Africa fertiliser agribusiness conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the government was working on the idea and that probably it would be implemented in the near future.

According to Dr Tizeba, bulk procurement in the fertilizer sector will enable the government to set indicative price for fertilisers in the country and thus regulate unusual increase of prices from time to time.

“There are indicative prices for some crops in the country, we are also thinking of applying bulk procurement system in fertiliser businesses and this will help the government to come up with indicative prices,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister told more than 300 international fertiliser and agribusiness executives and regional government representatives from 45 different countries that many farmers fail to utilise fertilisers due to high prices.

He said that agribusiness is a critical pathway to empower smallholder farmers and enhance value addition and set to be worth over 1trl/-US dollars by 2030 according to the World Bank.

“I note that agribusiness is one of the global agribusiness pie. Let us put our ideas together and articulate how, as fertiliser key players, can help to achieve a green revolution in Africa,” he said.

According to Dr Tizeba, this year, African countries mark a decade since they committed to increase fertilizer usage from 8kg per hectare to 50kg per hectare by 2015 as a means of making Africa achieve its green revolution.

“Africa has made marked progress towards this goal but a lot of work still needs to be done,” he said. He added that though fertiliser access and use are critical to food security, smallholder farmers in Africa are still far less fertilisers than their counterparts in Asia and Latin America.

The minister added that as the government embarks on boosting agriculture production, three major fertiliser plants are being constructed in Kibaha, Kilwa and Mtwara.

“The government is doing everything in its capacity to increase fertiliser production in the country, so far three plants are being constructed in the country,” he said.

He added that the government is also working hard to improve transportation communication services,to facilitate ease of doing business in the country, boost infrastructure in terms of seaports, railways and roads that will ensure farmers have access to affordable and appropriate fertilisers.