Tanzania distributes relief food to districts facing shortage

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania has distributed relief food to at least 41 districts facing a shortage of food in Tanzania's mainland, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Hussein Bashe, the Minister for Agriculture, said the food distributed by the government to districts facing shortage will be sold at cheaper prices.

"Due to rising food prices caused by prolonged dry spells, the government has distributed food to 41 districts that will be sold at cheaper prices," Bashe told a public rally in Kondoa district in Dodoma region on his way to Manyara region.

"The government has enough food reserves," said the minister.

On Nov. 11, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa urged Tanzanians to preserve food stocks as the country experienced poor rains and prolonged dry spells.