"The government ought to take immediate action to ensure farmers have a common market, to control prices," said Mr  Erastus Mkojera, an Agricultural Trainer with Kilimanjaro Agricultural Training Centre (KATC).

Speaking at a three day seminar in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Mr Mkojera noted that farmers  sold their produce at  giveaway prices due to lack of  market  information  and skills to bargain  for ideal prices.

According to Mr Mkojera, lack of market infrastructure, including warehouses, was another setback in securing  joint  markets for the farmers.Earlier, some stakeholders cautioned the government against foreigners sneaking into the country and purchasing rice from farmers, setting their own prices.

"Strategies  must be charted to help  farmers change their attitude and look for proper markets. Most entrepreneurs purchasing their produce are well informed about the market, but not the farmers," said one participant.

Participants  also advised the government to monitor officials with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the police on the borders, alleging that some of them  collude  with foreign traders to swindle local farmers.The seminar  was organized by TANRICE, in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Department of Training in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives.