AMCOS leaders arrested for tampering with electronic
TABORA: Thirty-two leaders of the Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies ( AMCOS) trusted by cotton farmers have been arrested for tampering with electronic scales. Their scheme deliberately undermeasured farmers’ cotton, enabling them to pocket extra while the farmers unknowingly lost out.
According to the Tabora Regional Commissioner, Paul Chacha, the scandal unfolded during the peak selling season and has led to an astonishing loss of over 900,000 kilograms of cotton, valued at over 500 million/-, a theft that has deeply wounded the community.
“These AMCOS leaders were meant to be the backbone of farmers’ support systems, the very people tasked with safeguarding growers’ earnings. Instead, they misused their position for personal gain. By manipulating the scales, they eroded trust and inflicted devastating financial damage on farmers who toil tirelessly. The magnitude of this deception, stealing nearly a million kilos of cotton, is both staggering and heartbreaking,” he said
He added that such acts cannot be tolerated, especially when they target those who are most vulnerable: the smallholder farmers. Immediate and decisive legal action, including dismissals and trials, must follow to send a clear message: exploitation of farmers will be met with the full force of the law. Both local and national agencies must collaborate to ensure justice.
Adding, he narrated that beyond punitive measures, structural impovements are essential. This includes introducing strict oversight over weighing equipment, carrying out regular, independent inspections, and training AMCOS officials in ethical practices and transparency. Farmers themselves should be empowered to verify measurements and report discrepancies ensuring accountability at every level.
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“If left unchecked, these abuses could become the norm, undermining the livelihoods of farmers and the integrity of Tanzania’s cotton sector. It’s time to act boldly and rebuild trust in the systems designed to uplift, not exploit, our agricultural communities,” he said.
