The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a key country partner of FAO’s Monitoring Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) project in Tanzania, has made a public call to abolish the country’s export ban on cereals. In a recent article in the Daily News of Tanzania, ESRF director Mr. Bohela Lunogelo stated that the ban is to be blamed for the limited supply of cereals and high food prices in the country. ‘Most maize farmers abandoned production due to the export ban that plunged them into heavy losses’, Mr. Lunogelo said. In addition, ESRF indicated that various studies revealed that the Tanzanian export ban had contributed to discourage investors in the agricultural sector.

In March, MAFAP expects to publish its first Country Report for Tanzania. The report will provide detailed information on incentives and disincentives to agricultural production in Tanzania, including for maize. The report will also present an analysis of the impact of the export ban on agricultural producers in the country.

To read the full article in the Daily News of Tanzania:

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/biz/14597-export-bans-undermine-agricultural-output

To read more about the work of MAFAP in Tanzania:

http://www.fao.org/mafap/mafap-partner-countries/tanzania/en/