Sesame farmers in Kondoa diistrict, Dodoma region have appealed to the Cooperative Commission to educate them on the 'Warehouse Receipt' system in regard to the crop's markets.
Speaking to this paper, the farmers said they were not happy with the system which was first introduced in the area in the 2019 season.
Hadadi Omari, one of the farmers said they were now in the second season of selling the crop through the system but they are yet to understand how it operates.
“We appeal to the government to assist us sesame farmers as the crop is our life line,” Omari said.
Another sesame grower Kasim Abdalla said it would be better for the minister who announced the warehouse receipt system to go to Kondoa and discuss with farmers on the system, as it is among the reasons why the farmers do not want apply it when selling their crop.
Salanka Ward Councilor, Rahimu Salumu, said the farmers were frustrated in the previous season as it was their first time to use the system.
“We accepted the challenges that came up and we wanted more knowledge before the coming season to ensure that farmers do not face such similar shortcomings, once again,” he said.
Speaking about the issue the deputy minister for Finance and Planning Dr Ashatu Kijaji who is the Kondoa Member of Parliament appealed to the government to look into the issue so that farmers fully understand the system apart from being useful to them.
“Our request in Kondoa we urge the government and the respective ministry to listen to the farmers. We are not opposed to the system but we need to be educated about the its fuctions. My advice as an MP they should suspend the system for this season and instead they should first educate the farmers,” she said.
