Call to protect farmers in agricultural produce packaging

DODOMA: THE Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) has underscored the need for strict adherence to accurate measurements in packaging agricultural produce to protect farmers’ interests and promote fair trade.

The call was made recently by the agency’s Public Relations and Communication Manager, Ms Veronica Simba, during the Nane Nane agricultural exhibitions in Dodoma.

Ms Simba said that to reap maximum benefits from their labour, farmers must prioritise proper measurement practices from land preparation, cultivation, and harvesting to the final packaging of produce.

“The agency’s mandate is to protect consumers in the agricultural and trade sectors by verifying and ensuring that measurements are used accurately,” she said.

“Measuring tools must be correct, and they must also be used correctly. You can have an accurate tool, but if you use it wrongly, it is still an offence by law and can cause losses to both the seller and the buyer,” she added.

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Citing the Weights and Measures Act, Ms Simba said the agency shields both farmers and consumers from losses caused by inaccurate measurements. She noted that the Nane Nane platform has been used to educate farmers on the need to adopt accurate measurements from the initial stages of farm preparation, planting, harvesting, storage, and marketing.

“Before planting, farmers should ensure proper spacing for optimal yields. We ensure they use certified and verified measurement tools instead of relying on human steps, which vary. By using verified tools, farmers can increase their agricultural productivity,” she said.

She further explained that the agency also verifies the volume and weight of packaged seeds before they are sold, ensuring that postharvest processes such as processing, storage, and sale comply with accurate measurement standards.

“We test electricity meters used in processing machines, verify water meters in irrigation farming, and supervise the use of standard weighing scales to curb cheating,” she said.

Ms Simba stressed that accurate packaging benefits both the farmer and the buyer.

“When a farmer follows measurement guidelines, they get rightful profits, while buyers are assured of fair transactions. We encourage the use of weighing scales instead of tins or plastic containers, which often result in losses for both sides,” she noted.

She added that WMA also inspects pre-packaged goods in shops and imports to ensure that the indicated weight and volume match the contents.

“We are committed to making farmers the economic kings in the agricultural sector. By following measurement standards, they will secure fair profits at every stage of production and marketing,” she emphasised.