Is it just me or does the air around Salome Kesi Milling Machine smell faintly of maize? This isn’t just any milling machine. It is a place where grains transform into the sustenance of life.
Salome Kesi Milling Machine stands as a testament to Tanzania’s agricultural industry. It reflects the crucial role of grain processing in the nation. Before the Arusha Declaration in 1967 both milling firms and Primary Societies characterized Mainland Tanzania.
The independent mainland Tanzania government had in the early 1960s established the National Agricultural products Board. They would buy agricultural products like maize and market them. Domestically the milling firms were among the outstanding National Agricultural Products Board’s customers. Especially with regard to maize.
The National Milling Corporation emerged into visibility with the nationalisation of eight milling firms in 1967 following the Arusha Declaration.
Choice of technology is important within the grain milling industry in Tanzania. The initial choice of technology has major consequences. Not only for plant layout but also on the overall production organization which shape technological progress. The interest in the grain milling industry stems from its policy relevance in a basic needs oriented development strategy currently being pursued in Tanzania.
Salome Kesi Milling Machine exemplifies this focus. It contributes to the local food supply. The pilot survey covered both Dar es Salaam and Arusha towns. A total of 170 firms were covered so as to get a comprehensive picture of the different technologies employed.
Firms have been stratified into three groups: household, custom and merchant milling firms. Technological choice is sensitive to product quality characteristics. It is also sensitive to institutional aspects of firm and market organization. The institutional and macro-economic policy environment within which milling firms operate has had an important indirect effect on the actual technological choices made. The grain milling industry in Tanzania has built up over the years a technological structure which is not homogenous in terms of machine characteristics. There are no significant economics of scale in the grain milling industry.
The fact that Salome Kesi Milling Machine is still here today shows its importance. The machine connects the past with Tanzania’s present. So next time you eat ugali think of places like Salome Kesi Milling Machine.