Tanzania to insist on processing of all export cashew

The Tanzanian government will make sure that all the cashew nuts produced in the country was processed locally before being exported, Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing Hezekiah Chibulunje has said.

Chibulunje said the move was part of government's efforts to protect and provide a bigger and reliable market for local farmers. He said the government has entered into agreement with the association of owners of private cashew nuts processing industries in the country for implementation of the move.

"Our aim is to check the monopoly of India as the only market for our raw cashew nuts," observed the minister, adding that the processing industries would be able to get the raw material throughout the year following the newly introduced system of issuing receipts at cashew nuts storage facilities.

The deputy minister also revealed that about 92,342.4 tonnes of cashew nuts had been bought from farmers until March this year, which is 83 per cent of the targeted 110,000 tonnes.

Meanwhile, co-operative societies in Mtwara, Lindi and Coast regions will, from October this year, start purchasing cashew nuts straight from farmers instead of using agents. Minister of Agriculture Stephen Wassira said the move was aimed at giving farmers competitive prices and protecting them from being exploited by unscrupulous businessmen.

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