PRIME Minister Kassim
Majaliwa has directed Lindi Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Godfrey Zambi to
arrest all traders who are involved in cashew nuts smuggling.
He said all
traders who are involved in smuggling of cashew nuts must be arrested and
arraigned. “I would like to direct the Regional Commissioner to immediately act
on this matter, these people who are involved in this illegal business must be
arrested and taken to court for further legal actions,” said the Premier.
According to
the statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Majaliwa was speaking
to residents of Mibure, Namakuku, Ng’imbwa, Chienjele, Mkata, Mitope and
Kitandi in Ruangwa District.
The Premier
also urged Lindi farmers to stop selling cashew nuts to racketeers best known
as ‘kangomba’ in Lindi Region. He said farmers must sell their crops to the
official market so that they can benefit from the business.
“The government
will take serious legal measures against people who will be found smuggling
cashew nuts, their vehicles will be seized as well,” he noted. The Premier told
cashew nuts farmers to shun ‘kangomba’ business and sell their cash nuts to
authorized markets at a higher and approved price.
According to Mr Majaliwa, this year’s cashew nuts price is expected to increase to 3,500/- per kilogram. He said some traders are buying cashew nuts at 1,000/- per kilogram.
“Some
traders are buying cashew nuts at 1,000/- per kilogram but the price for this
year is expected to increase to 3,500/- per kilogram, you must avoid selling
your produces to these traders,” he said.
He
added: “These traders are also using unapproved measurement, and thus farmers
are exploited,” Moreover, the Prime Minister urged farmers to grow sunflowers
and other cash crops so that they can get more benefit from agriculture
practices.
“Those
who grow sunflower get a profit of 1m/- from one acre, there is need for
farmers in this region to grow other cash crops instead of concentrating on
cash crops alone,” he said.
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