Audio By Carbonatix
Tanzania's President John Magufuli has rallied farmers in the country to increase food production, predicting global food scarcity later in the year caused by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
He urged farmers to take advantage of the reduced production by the largest food-producing countries in the wake of health restrictions imposed across the world.
"This year there is a possibility of a severe famine in the world because many people are in lockdown because of the corona, but this should not discourage us because even if they are imprisoned they still need to eat. We will grow crops that we will sell to them," he told a gathering in the north-western town of Bukoba.
The Tanzanian president has been criticised for downplaying the pandemic in the country, he has repeatedly said the health crisis had been exaggerated and mocked those who wear masks.
In June he declared that the country was "coronavirus-free" thanks to prayers by citizens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over the government's strategy on Covid-19.
Latest Stories
-
T-bills auction: Government exceeds target marginally; yield on 91-day bill remains unchanged
3 hours -
GPL 2026/27: 10-man Aduana hand Kotoko defeat in Kumasi
3 hours -
GPL 2026/27: Medeama ease past Basake Holy Stars
4 hours -
Appiah Adomako writes: Why DVLA must stop treating every expired licence holder as delinquent
4 hours -
Localization must transfer decision-making power, not just project responsibilities
4 hours -
Modernising Ghana’s traditional markets through the 24-Hour Economy markets initiative
4 hours -
New economy will boost local production and create jobs – Finance Minister
4 hours -
Real-Time VAT on cross-border digital services – not a new tax and does not violate double taxation principle
5 hours -
Digitalisation, AI key to Ghana’s tourism transformation – GHATOF
5 hours -
Stronger GTA-private sector partnership needed to grow tourism – GHATOF
5 hours -
Amazon eyes Ghana for broadband expansion after talks with Mahama
6 hours -
National Investment Quiz 2026: Six schools qualify for quarter-finals
6 hours -
‘Do not let Russia pay for its madness with lives of your people’ – Zelensky to Ghana, 46 other countries
6 hours -
6,079 promotion cases fully processed and paid – CAGD says amid nationwide teachers’ strike
7 hours -
Teacher unions to meet government Monday over nationwide strike
7 hours