Clove farmers urged to shun smuggling

ZANZIBAR: CLOVE farmers using the Kiwani clove buying centre in Mkoani District have urged their fellow farmers to abandon smuggling and instead sell their produce directly to the government through the Zanzibar State Trading Corporation (ZSTC).

The farmers said the government has put in place reliable and transparent purchasing systems, including digital weighing scales and modern buying centres to address past grievances and ensure fairness.

Speaking after the official opening of the centre by the Minister for Fisheries and Blue Economy, Massoud Ali Mohamed, said it is now time for farmers to trust government systems and deliver cloves through official channels.

Mr Kassim Ali Kassim, a farmer, said the introduction of modern digital scales has eliminated fears of weight manipulation that farmers previously faced.

“We now have transparent digital systems, unlike the old methods where only buyers knew the actual weight,” he said.

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Another farmer, Omar Haji Mkadam, noted that clove buying centres have been significantly upgraded under the eighth-phase government, with improved infrastructure and more efficient systems. Another farmer, Asha Himid Mjawiri, added that ZSTC buyers have become fairer and more professional, restoring dignity and confidence to farmers.

“If you qualify for first or second grade, you are treated accordingly. That fairness encourages us to sell to the government,” she said.

ZSTC Managing Director Soud Said Ali said the opening of the centre reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening clove marketing systems and improving services for farmers.

He urged farmers to stop smuggling of the crop, warning that it deprives the government of vital revenue needed for implementing development projects such as roads, hospitals, schools and clean water infrastructure.

Construction of the Kiwani clove buying centre began in the 2023/2024 financial year, costing 406.4m/-, including VAT. The project was implemented by Kin Investment Ltd under the supervision of the Zanzibar Buildings Agency (ZBA).