Tanzania forced to deploy military to purchase cashew nuts from farmers amid price row
President orders increase in cost to protect country’s most valuable export crop
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tanzania has been forced to deploy the military to purchase cashew nuts from farmers in a bid to resolve the current row over prices.
President John Magufuli ordered an increase in cashew nut prices, the country’s most valuable export crop, in an attempt to safeguard farmers from unsustainably low prices.
Farmers had halted sales after saying the amount the crop could command was too low for them to continue to operate.
After fixing prices of the commodity, Mr Magufuli rejected offers of $1.3 (£1) per kilogram from the private sector.
Instead he ordered the military to buy the produce for $1.43 per kilogram.
The president fired two ministers and dissolved the industry regulator over the price row for failing to manage the industry properly.
Charles Tizeba, minister of agriculture, and his trade counterpart Charles Mwijage were sacked from their posts.
Opposition politicians have claimed the president is using the crisis to boost his popularity in the Mtwara region, a cashew nut hotspot which has so far not supported his presidency.
Opposition leader Zitto Kabwe said that Mr Magufuli should seek parliamentary approval before the government starts buying cashews from farmers.
“The government needs 600 billion shillings (£200m) to pay farmers. This money requires parliamentary approval,” Mr Kabwe wrote on Twitter.
“If the president want to do this without following the law we will oppose him.”
Agencies contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments