Tanzanian brewers are ignoring a ban on using grain in popular local alcoholic drinks because of food shortages

Vicky Ntetema:

The country requires more than 100,000 tons of grain to feed itself for the next three months.

"You cannot die if you miss local brew, but you'll die of hunger if you don't have food," Prime Minister Edward Lowassa had warned.

Failed rains are affecting much of East Africa, where some 11 million people in need of food aid.

Some 3.5 million Tanzanians are going hungry. Much of the country is also experiencing daytime power cuts as the drought has left hydroelectric plants short of water.

But the majority of those who brew cheap illegal alcoholic beer are on low or irregular incomes and cannot afford to adhere to the ban.

Mama John, who produces the "libeneke" local drink in her backyard on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, says she needs to continue with her business to feed her family of four.

Her brew is popular as it costs $0.25 for a litre, the same price as a bottled cool drink.

But the amount of grain used by brewers like Mama John is only a fraction of what official brewers in the city consume on a daily basis.

Dar Brew, which makes Chibuku beer in Dar es Salaam, is continuing to use an average of six tons of combined maize and sorghum a day.

"We have managed to stock some raw materials for our future productions which will last maybe the next three to four months," says Dar Brew acting manager Sichilima Kazonda.

He believes the government's ban only affects smaller-scale home brewers.

In order for Dar Brew to suspend its production, the government which owns 40% of the company, would have to enter into negotiations with its South Africa partner that has the majority stake.

"People have to be fed but they also need to socialise," Mr Kazonda says.

Africa could face more droughts

Forecast shows Africa to face river crisis