Warehouse receipt system boosts farmers’ prosperity- Dr Nchimbi
MWANZA: THE Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) Secretary General Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi said the CCM-led government introduced the warehouse receipt purposely to protect farmers against exploitation and in turn improve both farmers and the country’s economy.
He said the system was introduced in line with the party’s directives through the election manifesto. Dr Nchimbi said before the introduction of the system, many farmers in the country were being exploited by selling their produce below the actual market price-a situation that contributed to their poverty.
Dr Nchimbi was giving clarification on the importance of the system after the Kisesa Member of Parliament (CCM), Luhaga Mpina, claimed that the new system had disrupted produce prices.
Dr Nchimbi told residents of Mwandoya Ward, Meatu District, Simiyu Region that the system was introduced to protect farmers and ensure them reliable payments.
“The warehouse receipt system was introduced to control the trade for the benefit of farmers, big traders used to hold meetings to manipulate prices, hurting the common citizen,” he said.
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He added: “Thousands of farmers were suffering due to price manipulations. For instance, items that are now sold at 4,000/- per kilo used to be sold at only 400/- per kilo.”
Dr Nchimbi explained that CCM is an active party that observes the condition of the citizens. He said drafting of the election manifesto is participatory and that people are always given opportunities to air their voices.
“If citizens in various areas tell us that the warehouse receipt system is harming them, we will listen. But for now, it remains a CCM policy,” he explained.
Earlier, Mr Mpina claimed that the warehouse receipt system contributes to the exploitation of farmers by lowering the prices of pigeon peas, beans and sesame seeds.
He also requested the party to consider conducting an audit of the 300/- deducted per kilo of produce for purchasing inputs and pesticides, as the value of the inputs provided does not correspond to the collected funds.
Mpina stated that another challenge is the high cost of maize seeds, which range from 9,000/- to 10,000/-, while a kilo of farmers’ maize is sold for only 500/-.
He requested the CCM Secretary General to assist in securing justice for pastoralists, whose livestock was seized and those who won cases in court.
Moreover, Mr Mpina praised President Samia for establishing a commission to assess revenue collection and taxation, expressing confidence that once the commission completes its work, revenues will increase more than threefold.
He expressed his willingness to present evidence to the commission regarding the embezzled by wrongdoers in the country, urging his party to call upon ministers from the relevant financial sectors.
