EAC council applauds TZ for decision on grain business

Kigali. The East African Grain Council (EAGC) has commended Tanzania for its decision to allow grains business to other regional countries.

The council’s chairman Bernard Otim gave his commendation during the 6th Africa Grain Trade Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda.

A biennial, high-level, multi-stakeholder event was organised by the EAGC with support from the US Agency for International Development (Usaid), through its project the East Africa Trade and Investment Hub and other partners.

The summit attracted more than 200 stakeholders from along the grain value chain for discussion on key grain industry issues and developing trends in grain trade on the continent. The summit provided a platform for the public and private sector to agree on mechanisms for enhancing the enabling environment for grain trade in Africa.

The stakeholders’ summit was attended by agriculture experts, members of business community and industrialists from different parts of Africa.

Dr Otim said the decision of Tanzania reached in 2012 has greatly contributed in improving the regional grain market.

“Grains have a huge potential to bring development to our people, but this will not happen if countries will not allow cross border trade, Tanzania deserves praise on this,” he said. He requested the conference participants to come up with innovative solutions to help farmers benefit from grains business and asked African governments to give priority to the business and assist all institutions involved in grains.

the sub sector.

“Should our governments give priority to the sector, huge economic development can be realized in this region and Africa at large,” he said, adding that the region was gifted with conducive natural environment for growing various types of grains.