The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art silo complex in Babati district, Manyara region, aimed at enhancing the processing and storage of various crops produced across Tanzania.

This ultramodern facility, valued at 18bn/-, focuses on crops such as maize, sunflower, barley, soybeans, and sorghum.

The new complex has attracted a significant number of customers, including crop traders from neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi, drawn by its advanced technology and efficiency. 

According to Efraim January, head of the complex, the facility offers cloud-connected quality assurance systems that set it apart from other processing centers.

"Our computerized complex provides fast services, capable of processing a 30-ton truck of maize grains within just 30 to 40 minutes," Eng. January revealed in an exclusive interview during a special tour of the project.

The facility is equipped with a range of digital equipment designed for various stages of crop processing. These include machines for grain sampling, cleaners, dryers, as well as packaging and storage facilities. 

January emphasized the complex's commitment to ensuring that crops are processed to meet both local and international market standards.

Discussing the maize grain cleaning process, which is a major activity at the center, Eng. January explained that the facility uses a modern automated system to remove fine dust, threads, and broken grains. The refined maize is then packed and stored under optimal moisture conditions of 13.5 percent.

"Our vision is to deliver processed and packaged crops to consumers in the best possible condition, adhering to recommended health standards," he stated.

January also highlighted NFRA's broader mission, which involves purchasing surplus crops from farmers at fair prices and storing them professionally to ensure national food security.

The Babati-based complex features eight modern silos, each with a storage capacity of 3,425 tonnes, bringing the total storage capacity to approximately 27,400 tonnes. 

The facility also includes five centers dedicated to the professional procurement of maize grains from local farmers, with NFRA purchasing based on government-recommended standards.

NFRA currently operates 72 purchasing points across eight regions: Dodoma, Dar es Salaam (Kipawa), Njombe (Makambako), Songwe, Rukwa (Sumbawanga), Arusha (Babati), Shinyanga, and Songea. The agency's purchasing strategy includes buying from farmers, large-scale traders, and cooperative societies.