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Govt assures fair prices for farmers’ produce

THE government has expressed its commitment to addressing the challenges faced by farmers through the auction system

DODOMA: THE government has expressed its commitment to addressing the challenges faced by farmers through the auction system to ensure they receive real market prices, with buyers participating directly, without relying on middlemen.

To achieve this, the government has reaffirmed its decision to continue with the Warehouse Receipt System, which, despite the existing challenges, remains the only way to determine the true prices of crops and ensure farmers are paid fairly.

Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe, told the Parliament yesterday that the Warehouse Receipt System will bring success and economic growth to lentils and pigeon pea farmers.

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He highlighted several successes experienced by lentil and pigeon pea farmers since they began selling their produce through the Warehouse Receipt System.

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Minister Bashe clarified this in response to a question from Singida North MP (CCM) Abeid Ighondo, who asked how the government plans to address the challenges arising from the new Warehouse Receipt System for selling lentils and pigeon peas.

In response, Bashe said the Warehouse Receipt System is implemented under the Food Security Act, Chapter 249, along with amendments made to the Cereals and Mixed Crops Act, Chapter 274 and the Warehouse Receipts Act, Chapter 339.

He explained that the government continues to address the challenges of implementing the TMX system, especially in new areas such as Singida Region and in some parts of the Central Zone, including Tabora and Dodoma.

Additionally, he said the government is providing education to resolve the challenges.

“Before the Warehouse Receipt System, regions like Singida and Dodoma sold lentils and pigeon peas for between 1,000/- and 1,300/-, but traders would then sell them in markets in Dar es Salaam or Dodoma for between 1,800/- and 2,000/-,” he said.

He added: “Since the auctions started, prices in the Singida region have ranged between 1,733 and 2,060 for lentils and between 1,840 and 2,060 for pigeon peas.”

He acknowledged the challenges but reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that through the auction system, real crop prices are obtained and buyers participate directly, rather than through middlemen.

The minister emphasised that the government’s decision is to continue with the Warehouse Receipt System, as it is the only way to determine the true value of crops and ensure that farmers receive fair prices