The Tanzanian government has announced plans to address declining maize prices by launching official purchases through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA).

Farmers are facing severe financial challenges as market prices have dropped significantly compared to previous seasons, with some selling at Sh5,000-7,000 per 20kg bucket.

Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo urged farmers to avoid selling all their produce immediately after harvest, advising them to store surplus until prices improve.

The NFRA's regional manager emphasized that official guidelines for the purchasing program will be released on July 20, 2026, with no indicative prices set yet.

Farmers from Songwe, Rukwa, and Mbeya regions highlighted rising production costs and low selling prices, calling for government intervention to secure reliable markets.Concerns about storage costs and health risks from chemical treatments were also raised.While buyers benefit from current low prices, farmers argue that the situation threatens their livelihoods and future participation in agriculture.