PM assures nation of food security

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has reassured Tanzanians of food security, vowing that no one will die of hunger.

Currently, he said, relevant authorities are busy distributing relief food to all hunger- hit areas as the government has already identified all regions in dire food shortage.

The Premier said this when he toured Majareko Village in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, one of the hunger-hit villages in the country. Mr Majaliwa cautioned against misuse of relief food, citing reports that some people were using it to make local brew, warning that tough disciplinary action will be taken against all culprits. “We have enough stock; no one will die of hunger.

We are currently distributing relief food to areas, which are badly hit by famine,” he reported. He pointed out that some 1,620 tonnes of relief food have been distributed to Chamwino District and other 40 tonnes will soon be released.

According to the Premier, some 700 tonnes have also been released to families affected by the recent downpour, which has rendered hundreds of families here homeless.

He noted that there were also some 12,000 tonnes of food in Dodoma Region pending distribution to badly-affected families. Mr Majaliwa also advised Tanzanians to make proper use of current rains by growing fastest-maturing varieties and very highyielding crops.

Earlier, Chamwino District Commissioner Ms Fatuma Mgomi noted that due to inadequate rainfall in the last farming season, the district obtained only 34,216 tonnes of produces while they intended to get over 68,000 tonnes.

Dodoma Regional Commissioner Chiku Galawa said Chamwino residents started experiencing food shortage in July last year, forcing the regional leadership to start seeking relief food. She said she was going to call all leaders to map out strategies to deal with MR KASSIM Majaliwa the situation.