Cashew growers press for payment of Sh4.8 million

to Mkinga. Five Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) in Mkinga district, Tanga region, are owed over Sh4.8 million shillings in sales levy after selling 48 tons of cashew nuts last season to an investor, Outgrowers Ltd. They are Duga, Mapatano, Mwanyumba and Daluni.

This was revealed during a tour of reporters to some of the farmers in the district last week. They expressed  deep concern to the investor over the delay of their payment and of sales levy to their AMCOS.

They doubted the financial capability of the investor in buying large amount of cashew nuts, saying that they do not hold any more trust in Outgrowers, a joint venture investment company. 

Some farmers who include Juma Njama said that he has no confidence in the investor.

He wondered if during the initial phase of the company’s contract it has encountered such financial problems, what the future of the farmers  would be in future, if they offered a big amount of the produce for sale. The Mkinga district council cashew nut co-ordinator Njaro Kijo conceded that the investor hadn’t paid the five AMCOS.

 The Mkinga District Commissioner,  Mr Yona Lucas Maki, reiterated that the government  was keen on promoting agricultural crops that boost district’s economy such as cashew nuts, stressing that the district leadership would stand by the farmers  to ensure that they paid  their dues on time. 

He said the leadership would press the buying and processing company to speed up payments to farmers before commencement of the new buying season, 

However, efforts to reach the investor were futile as he didn’t respond to calls from reporters.