Dodoma — THE government has said that necessary steps will be taken to ensure that a wheat surplus of 200,000 tonnes stuck in Ruvuma is distributed to regions in need.

Ms Jenista Mhagama (Peramiho -CCM) in her supplementary question wanted to know what plans the government has with regions that have surplus grain yet have limited storage.

Responding to the question, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Mr Adam Malima said that the government was very prepared to relieve such regions of surplus crops.

In the main question, Mr Suleiman Suleiman (Kishapu - CCM) whose question was asked on his behalf by Ms Mhagama wanted to know why the government is not getting drought resistant hybrid seeds particularly for millet, wheat, sunflower and even maize, and why it does not buy other crops as is the case with maize.

Mr Malima said the government has been setting aside funds to buy food for the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and the agency has been buying maize and millet.

"It should be noted, however, that the possibility of getting millet and sorghum has proven very difficult as a result of its low production. It is the plan of the government to broaden its scope such that other crops are taken on board," he explained.

Mr Malima said that the government would continue buying millet from growers and was ready to buy sorghum on condition that its availability improves. He asked legislators hailing from regions that are producers of millet and sorghum to work together with the ministry and government to encourage farmers produce crops the food reserve would buy from them.