Dodoma — THE government on Thursday underscored the need to increase processing cashew nut locally to ensure a reliable local market for the crop.

 

Responding to a question from Mr Freeman Mbowe (Hai - Chadema), the prime minister said cashew nut farmers had a problem of selling their crop earlier this year, but the government intervened.

 

"The problem has now been solved a farmers are being paid," the premier told the House.

 

Mr Mbowe, who is also the leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly had wanted to know the permanent solution to cashew growers.

 

Mr Mbowe said some farmers were forced to sell their houses and other assets after borrowing inputs as payment for the crop was delayed for many months.

 

The MP blamed the Cashew nut Board of Tanzania (CBT) for poor leadership. He suggested that members of parliament (MPs) not be elected to the board. Mr Pinda said India was the traditional market for cashew nut from Tanzania but failed to buy a large amount of the crop due to the fall of prices in the international market.

Source : allafrica.com