By Adonis Byemelwa
In the heart of the Shinyanga Region in Tanzania, greengram farmers find themselves entangled in a web of challenges, ranging from a scarcity of markets to a controversial voucher system.
John Mgui, a prominent greengram farmer, expressed deep concern over the current situation, highlighting the stark absence of buyers in the region.
This plea for intervention resonates across the fields as farmers not only grapple with a market drought but also contend with the perceived pitfalls of the warehouse receipt system.
Mgui urgently appealed to Minister Bashe to intervene and revive the greengram market. The crisis is exacerbated by the widely criticized warehouse receipt system, acting as a stumbling block for farmers facing significant challenges and left with surplus produce and no avenue for sales.
“At present, the price of the crop has significantly dropped. Since they announced the warehouse receipt system, it’s been a problem. I have financial difficulties to sustain myself and my family. The price is extremely low, around TZS 700 per kilogram instead of 1,000,” shared Mgui, encapsulating the dire financial straits farmers find themselves in.
Greengram, both a staple food and a cash crop, is rich in protein and essential minerals such as phosphorus and calcium, holding promise for sustenance and economic viability. However, the prevailing challenges have cast a shadow over its potential. Proper cultivation can yield between 400 to 900 kilograms per acre, contingent upon soil quality and weather conditions.
Rahael Masatu Machumu, an influential figure in the agricultural landscape, criticized the warehouse receipt system, citing uncertainties about the timing of fund disbursement.
The plea for government intervention reverberates, with farmers seeking relief from the clutches of poverty intensified by the challenges inherent in agriculture. The prohibition of traders from purchasing greengram directly from farmers exacerbates the struggle.
Vincent Charles lamented the closure of all gates for selling crops, leaving farmers in a quandary. The call for transparency from the government takes center stage, with farmers urging authorities to communicate their intentions regarding crop procurement to avoid unnecessary hardships.
The Secretary of the CCM in Shinyanga Region, Richard Masele, urged farmers to be patient, stating that President Samia’s goal is to ensure farmers’ benefit. He emphasized that the warehouse receipt system is not intended to harm farmers but to ensure they benefit, and the government is committed to addressing their concerns.
Farmers place the blame on Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (AMCOS), alleging that the introduction of the warehouse receipt system has only worsened their plight.
Their grievances reached a crescendo when they visited the CCM offices in Shinyanga on February 29th, seeking a solution to the deadlock. The plea for the continuation of trading practices that were more favorable to farmers echoes through the corridors of the CCM offices.
Farmers are resolute in their demand for a minimum price of TZS 2,500, emphasizing the profound impact on their families and children due to the lack of buyers. The fear that greengram has been sold, and the money has not reached them, intensifies the urgency. The Chairman of CCM in Shinyanga urges patience as the government grapples with finding a resolution.
Juma Shiija sheds light on the financial challenges faced by cooperatives, suggesting that leaders should come forward to explain the steps needed to overcome this issue. The intricate web of challenges extends beyond the fields to the cooperative structure, adding another layer to the multifaceted agricultural conundrum.
The situation mirrors a similar episode in 2021 when Zainab Telack, the former Shinyanga, Regional commissioner directed officials to educate greengram farmers about the warehouse receipt system.
The hope was to prevent premature sales and provide buyers with certainty about obtaining large quantities of produce. The first auction of greengram for the 2020/21 season saw 47,564 kilograms sold through the Tanzania Commodities Exchange (TCE).
Beyond the market woes, greengram stands as a nutritional powerhouse. Originating from India and introduced to Tanzania by Arab traders in the 1880s, greengram boasts drought tolerance and quick maturation. Rich in protein, phosphorus, and calcium, greengram promotes heart health, aids digestion, and contributes to bone strength.
Ongoing research initiatives at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) focus on developing greengram varieties with high iron content. Dr. Beatrice Mwaipopo, a Greengram Researcher at TARI Ilonga, underscores the demand for greengram domestically and internationally. The research aims to address iron deficiency in pregnant women and children under five.
Dr. Geofrey Mkamilo, the Director-General of TARI, emphasizes the importance of legumes like greengram for all age groups. With a budget exceeding 15 billion Tanzanian Shillings allocated for seed development, TARI’s strategic focus extends to crops such as sunflower, maize, and greengram.
As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) underscores the significance of legumes as an alternative protein source, green gram’s potential extends beyond the plight of Shinyanga farmers. Dr. Kusirye Ukio, the Chief Medical Officer in the Morogoro region, emphasizes the role of a balanced diet, including legumes, in addressing nutritional deficiencies.
The challenges faced by greengram farmers in Shinyanga Region transcend the immediate market woes. The intricate interplay of government policies, cooperative finances, and market dynamics paints a complex picture. As farmers await resolution, the call for systemic change and sustainable agricultural practices echoes—a plea not just for Shinyanga but for the broader agricultural landscape in Tanzania. The future of greengram, a crop deeply rooted in history, hinges on the collective efforts to circumnavigate these challenges and pave the way for a resilient and thriving agricultural sector.
