Agriculture minister orders crackdown of buyers exploiting farmers

Mbinga. The minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, has instructed village and ward agricultural officers in the Ruvuma Region to closely monitor private buyers of maize and identify those purchasing the crop below the government's established indicative prices.

This directive, aimed at protecting farmers from exploitation, was issued on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during President Samia Suluhu Hassan's ongoing tour of the region.

Mr Bashe emphasized that the government had set indicative farm gate prices for maize between Sh500 and Sh600 per kilogramme.

However, it has come to the government’s attention that some unscrupulous private buyers have been purchasing maize from farmers at much lower prices, ranging between Sh350 and Sh400 per kilo.

"This is outright exploitation of our hardworking farmers," Mr Bashe said, adding that such actions undermine the government's efforts to support agricultural communities and boost the country's food security.

In response to this malpractice, Mr Bashe warned that if the situation continues unchecked, the government may intervene by establishing maize trading stations in every village through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA).

He clarified that this measure, though extreme, would effectively eliminate the opportunity for private buyers to engage in purchasing maize directly from farmers.

"We allowed private parties to purchase maize from farmers and resell it to the NFRA to reduce the distance farmers must travel to reach NFRA trading stations, where they can sell their produce at Sh700 per kilo," Mr Bashe explained.

The minister expressed concern that some private buyers have taken advantage of this initiative, soliciting unreasonably low prices from farmers, sometimes as low as Sh200 per kilo, only to resell the produce to the NFRA at the set indicative price of Sh700.

"It is unacceptable to profiteer at the expense of the farmers’ hard work," he reiterated.

He urged agricultural officers to be vigilant and report any private buyer found engaging in such exploitative practices.

Any violators will face the closure of their trading stations by village executive officers.

Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was present at the event, also addressed farmers, urging them to exercise caution and avoid selling their crops to smugglers.

She emphasized that selling maize to the NFRA ensures they recover farming expenses, save for future needs, and adequately prepare for the next planting season.

The President further called upon district leaders to enforce strict supervision and ensure private buyers adhere to the government's guidelines.

“We must protect our farmers and ensure they receive fair compensation for their labor,” President Hassan stressed.

Moreover, the President urged citizens to reject any divisive political influences that could threaten national peace and stability, underscoring the need for unity and cooperation for the country's prosperity.

Adding to the government's efforts in boosting regional development, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, announced that the government has allocated Sh11.6 billion for road infrastructure projects within the district.

He also highlighted a modern market project underway in the Manzese Area and revealed that Sh3 billion has been set aside for constructing a power substation to address electricity challenges, which will enhance economic activities and improve the quality of life for residents in the district.