PM orders review of cotton buying system to boost competition

Itilima. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and cotton industry stakeholders to review the crop’s marketing system and introduce greater competition among buyers to ensure farmers receive better returns.

Dr Nchemba issued the directive on September 14, 2026, during a public meeting at Langangabilili grounds in Itilima District, Simiyu Region, after farmers complained about a system that allows a single buyer to operate in a particular area.

He directed Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo and stakeholders to meet within one month and submit a progress report by October 14.

Dr Nchemba said the Government did not want the cotton industry to decline, stressing its importance to the economy, particularly in the Lake Zone.

He said the new system should take into account production costs, cotton prices and farmers’ interests so that marketing challenges did not discourage them from growing the crop.

“We need a system that will not undermine cotton production or its price, while ensuring that farmers are not adversely affected by the costs of producing the crop,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government would continue listening to farmers’ concerns and take measures to protect strategic crops and improve productivity.

Itilima MP Njalu Silanga said the single-buyer arrangement in some areas had limited farmers’ ability to negotiate better prices because of a lack of competition.

Farmers’ concerns

Esther Luzinga, a farmer from Laini village, said allowing more buyers would give farmers an opportunity to compare prices and sell to those offering better returns.

“When there is only one buyer, we have little room to negotiate the price. We need a system that gives us the freedom to secure a price that reflects our effort,” she said.

Emanuel Jilobi, a farmer from Mwamapalala village, said competition among buyers could encourage farmers to increase production by giving them greater confidence in the market and prices.

“Cotton requires significant costs, from land preparation and seeds to pesticides and labour. If the price does not protect farmers, we lose motivation. Competition among buyers could help improve prices,” he said.

Mashenene Shigela, a farmer from Nkoma village, urged the Government to ensure the new system protected farmers without creating additional bureaucracy.

“We want a system that gives us a reliable market and fair prices. If there are many buyers but the system does not protect farmers, the problem will remain. What matters is ensuring that farmers receive a fair return for their work,” he said.