Middlemen exploit cashew growers #tanzania

FARMERS in the southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara have
been advised to ensure that they sell their products through
cooperatives and avoid doing so in the black markets which
have been exploiting them.
The call came amid increase of unscrupulous cashew nut
buyers who were buying the products at lower prices below
the indicative prices.
Speaking to the 'Daily News' at the ongoing agro-business
shows taking place at national level here in Ngongo
Grounds, the Cooperatives Officer from Mtwara District
Council, Mr Hamidu Ndago, noted that selling products
through black markets affects farmers.
He said that the buyers engaging in such type of
transactions were making a huge profits at the expense of
poor farmers. According to Mr Ndago, such traders were
hoodwinking farmers into believing that selling their
products through cooperatives under the warehouse receipt
system only meant to benefit cooperative leaders and not
them.
In a move aimed at ensuring that black marketing is
contained, Mr Ndago explained that during harvest seasons
district council officials were conducting patrols to ensure
that such traders do not lure farmers.
"We have also been issuing education to the farmers
through our local radio stations and also in public meetings
where we tell them how these dishonest traders are
exploiting them," he said, adding that farmers who were
selling their products through proper channels were the
ones benefiting most.
One of the cashew farmers, Mr Hamed Mbinga, explained
that they were opting to sell their products through such
black markets because they were able to get their money at
once unlike in cooperatives where payment was made
through instalments.