Dodoma Regional Commissioner Dr Binilith Mahenge has instructed all local councils in the region to use "Warehouse Receipt" systen for the sesame crop to protect farmers' interests.
Speaking yesterday during his official visit in Kondoa district, Mahenge said every local council should ensure they closely supervise the system without inciting any complaints from farmers.
He also called for the control of weights and packaging to enable farmers remain at peace with their crop on weighing scales that work.
He added: “there is the need to increase collecting centres for the sesame crop to reduce long distances farmers have to travel to sell their crop. Small traders at village level are allowed to trade in the crop among themselves to get money for basic needs but buyers thereof must eventually sell the crop via the ‘Warehouse Receipt’ system.”
He said in such arrangement the maximum weight of the crop to be bought from a farmer should not exceed 100 kgs as in excess of that he is supposed to sell his crop through the system.
He said the sesame so collected will be incorporated in the official system for the farmer to be paid his money which will be within 10 days after the auction.
He also appealed to all people in Dodoma region to open bank accounts to simplify payments.
Kondoa District Commissioner Sezaria Makota said pigeon peas, sesame and green grams will be sold via ‘warehouse receipt’ system to protect a farmer attain his targets.
The chairman of agricultural marketing cooperative society (AMCOS) Juma Hussein said their big responsibility is finding the market to sell farmers’ crops and ensure they get their payments without being shortchanged.
