Dodoma records over 69bn/- crop earnings via receipt system
DODOMA: FARMERS in Dodoma Region have earned 69.7bn/- through the warehouse receipt system, reflecting its growing contribution to improving rural incomes and strengthening structured agricultural markets.
Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary for Economy and Production, Ms Aziza Mumba, said a total of 43.7 million kilogrammes of sesame, pigeon peas and lentils were sold during the 2025 season, enabling farmers to receive 69.7bn/-.
She said the system has also boosted public and cooperative revenues, with councils collecting over 2bn/- in levies, while cooperative unions earned 1.3bn/- as operational income.
The warehouse receipt system, she noted, continues to provide reliable markets and fair prices for farmers while strengthening cooperative societies and local government revenue collection.
The system is currently implemented in several councils, namely Kondoa District, Chemba District, Bahi District, Chamwino District, Kongwa District, Kondoa Town and Dodoma City.
A total of 14 cooperative societies participated in the 2025 season, trading 19.3 million kilogrammes of sesame, 24 million kilogrammes of pigeon peas and 313,629 kilogrammes of lentils. Kongwa District led in pigeon pea production, selling 21.6 million kilogrammes, equivalent to about 90 per cent of total sales.
Dodoma City recorded the highest sesame sales, accounting for 78 per cent of the traded volume, while Chemba District contributed about 24 per cent of lentils sold through the system.
Meanwhile, through the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), the region received 2.5 tonnes of subsidised pigeon pea seeds, distributed to Kongwa, Chemba and Kondoa districts to support production.
Despite the progress, Ms Mumba cited several challenges affecting implementation, including low awareness among stakeholders, inadequate certified warehouses, declining crop prices compared to the previous season and the persistence of parallel trading systems involving middlemen.
ALSO READ: Tanzania injects 517bn/- for DMDP II road projects
She said councils have put in place measures to strengthen the system in the 2026 season, including expanding crop production and improving storage infrastructure.
A total of 39 warehouses has been prepared, while 32 cooperative societies are expected to participate across Bahi, Chamwino, Chemba, Kondoa, Mpwapwa, Kondoa Town and Dodoma City councils. Central Zone Manager of COPRA, Mr Andrew Mgaya, said efforts were underway to intensify farmer education to ensure wider understanding and participation in the system.
A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Aneth Mngasa, said the government continues to evaluate the system each season to improve efficiency and expand its coverage to more regions.
The warehouse receipt system is currently operational in regions including Katavi, Rukwa, Lindi, Coast and Mtwara, with additional areas being prioritised for rollout.
