Devise roadmap for fair crop trade – PM

RUKWA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has directed ministries responsible for regulating crop trade, in collaboration with the Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) and buyers, to devise a roadmap that will ensure produce is purchased using standardised measurements and through instant payments only.

He noted that for a long time the traditional practice of selling crops in sacks or buckets has denied farmers their fair share due to inaccurate measurements, causing them to earn less money compared to the actual quantity of their produce.

“Let us move to a modern model that applies standardised measurements or packages with clear descriptions of official quantities,”

Dr Nchemba said yesterday while addressing residents of Sumbawanga in Rukwa Region, where he launched an international market worth 7.3bn/-.

He added that the traditional trading model, which relies on sacks and estimates, allows manipulation that disadvantages farmers.

Dr Nchemba said the market in Rukwa and others across the country serve as crucial platforms for farmers to sell their cash crops, including maize, rice and onions, at reasonable prices, thereby promoting commercial farming and abandoning outdated trading ones.

In a related development, Dr Nchemba directed the Ministry of Agriculture to engage buyers in discussions aimed at eliminating crop purchases on credit and instead promote instant payments whether in cash or bank transactions.

“If you are a member of a cooperative society, Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) or a private trader who understands the importance of buying on credit as an enabler, first obtain loans from banks and then go to the farmers and buy their produce instantly, ” Dr Nchemba said.

He explained that for many farmers, their produce serves as a form of savings, enabling them to access money instantly by selling crops in cash to meet urgent expenses, rather than selling on credit which increases their economic burden.

Earlier, while in Kasanga in Kalambo District, Dr Nchemba directed all regional leaders across the country to utilise effectively the available well-drilling equipment to expand access to clean water.

ALSO READ: NRA pledges to remove trade barriers between Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland 

He urged leaders to take advantage of the equipment already distributed to address water challenges in their respective regions.

Dr Nchemba said the government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has already distributed drilling machines to every region to facilitate water projects.

“It is now the responsibility of every region to drill wells in areas where they are required and construct dams where necessary. Some areas demand both large-scale and small-scale irrigation projects, while others primarily need access to clean water,” Dr Nchemba told residents of Kasanga during a rally in Rukwa as part of his ongoing working visit in the region.

“At the end, we will assess which regions used the equipment effectively to provide citizens with reliable water services,” he added.

He said that currently more than 1,500 villages across the country still face shortages of clean and safe water.

In that regard, Dr Nchemba directed regional leaders, including water officers, to allocate sufficient budgets for well-drilling projects, considering that the necessary equipment is already available.

“You have the tools in your hands, go and do the job,” he said.

Dr Nchemba also reminded leaders that the Sixth Phase Government had distributed machines for dam construction in every zone to support water supply and irrigation initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, whose working visit has involved inspecting development projects, warned that the government will not tolerate delays in project implementation.

“Your government will strictly supervise all development projects. There will be zero tolerance for those who violate professional ethics during the implementation of projects,” he said.