Farmers earnings under WRS hit 2.9tri/-

DODOMA: THE Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) has significantly boosted farmers’ earnings, with total payouts reaching 2.9tri/- in the 2024/25 season, marking a 142 per cent increase.

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo said the farmers cashed in only 1.2tri/- in the previous year.

Speaking in Dodoma recently during the opening of 2025/26 trading season through, Dr Jafo attributed the surge in earnings to a remarkable 80 per cent increase in crop collection, which rose from 451 tonnes in 2023/24 to 810 tonnes in the just-ended season.

“The system has not only enhanced transparency and competition in pricing but has also ensured that farmers secure reliable markets for their produce at fair prices, without interference from unscrupulous middlemen,” he said.

Additionally, revenue from levies surged from 36bn/- in 2023/24 to 87bn/- in the just ended season.

“This underscores the fact that the WRS not only benefits farmers but also significantly contributes to local government revenue, enabling the implementation of various development projects,” Dr Jafo added.

He further noted that the WRS has strengthened buyer confidence, particularly among international investors.

During the 2024/25 season, 14 crops were traded under the system, including cashew nuts, sesame, pigeon peas, coffee, cocoa, chickpeas, green grams, maize, beans, rice, cassava, paddy, soybeans and tea.

Similarly, the number of registered depositors grew by 13 per cent, from 1,202 in 2023/24 to 1,362 in 2024/25, spanning 62 councils across 19 regions.

The minister highlighted that efforts are underway to encourage the remaining seven regions to adopt the system.

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Cashew nuts accounted for 50 per cent of all produce traded under the WRS, followed by sesame (18 per cent), pigeon peas (12 per cent) and coffee (12 per cent) while cereals and other crops, including tea and cocoa, contributed seven per cent.

The Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board is the Government Institution under the Ministry of Industry and Trade with the mission of regulating and promoting the WRS that ensures a fair and sustainable accessibility to formal credit and commodity marketing systems.

It was established under the Warehouse Receipts Act No 10 of 2005 and Act No 3 of 2015 as amended and Regulations 2016.