Cereals board expects Sh26 billion from rice sale 

Dar es Salaam. The Cereal and Other Produce Board of Tanzania (CPB) in the Lake Zone will earn at least Sh26 billion from the sale of rice in 2023/24.

CPB told reporters recently that they are planning to buy and process 20,000 tonnes next season, which will generate the amount after selling in domestic and foreign markets.

The produce processed by CPB is exported to neighbouring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Domestically, the board sells its produce in Kagera, Shinyanga and Mwanza regions, as well as in Rusumo, which is a northwestern town at the border with Rwanda.

To curb hunger in the Lake Zone, the board was planning to buy 1,000 tonnes of beans and green beans to enable citizens to get food with a variety of nutrients.

CPB marketing officer Ally Mango said the board had the capacity to process 96 tonnes of paddy per day.

“Shortage of paddy in the area enabled us to process a small amount of it since the factory’s establishment in 2022,” he said, noting that in 2023/24 the target has been set at 20,000 tonnes.

Under the Act of its establishment, the board is mandated to facilitate trade promotion and development of cereals and other agricultural products with quality that sustains profitability to the entire value chain to ultimately contribute to the growth of the subsector and improved livelihood amongst Tanzanians.

The CPB acting Lake Zone manager, Mr Alfred Kalimenze said the board is well prepared to enhance production of enough food crops, therefore allaying fears over possible hunger.

He said the 20,000 tonnes of target will be equivalent to 14,500 tonnes increase as compared to the previous 5,500 tonnes.

Mr Kalimenze cited rice as a strategic crop in the Lake Zone, noting that they buy paddy from farmers, process and sell to citizens at affordable prices as well as supplying to neighbouring countries.

“After processing, rice is packed in different weights in order to reach every segment of customers according to their financial abilities,” he said.

"Farmers are welcomed to do business with us because of the competitive prices we are offering; no farmer will be exploited" he said.

Furthermore, he acknowledged the two years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in office, saying the board has made huge reforms and development.

"We received Sh5 billion for buying crops and investing in the processing industry. This enabled us to increase the number of jobs in the sector’s value chain," he said.