Lindi RC warns farmers against premature sesame selling

Lindi. As the sesame marketing season approaches—with auctions scheduled to commence in early June—farmers in Lindi Region have been urged to avoid selling their produce through informal pre-harvest agreements, locally known as chomachoma, and instead wait for the official warehouse receipt auctions to secure better prices.

Speaking on Monday, 19 May 2025, during a Cooperative Development Forum held in Lindi, Regional Commissioner Zainab Tellack underscored the importance of discipline among farmers, warning that premature sales often result in considerable losses compared to earnings from organised auctions.

“When the government introduced the warehouse receipt system, the goal was to empower farmers by ensuring they fully benefit from their produce,” she said.

“I urge leaders of cooperative unions and AMCOS to focus on ensuring quality harvests and to strongly discourage farmers from selling sesame through chomachoma. They must wait for the auctions.”

Despite the directive, some farmers have cited financial hardship as the primary reason for resorting to early sales. A farmer from Kilwa District, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that delays in auctions sometimes leave families without vital funds.

“At times, I’m forced to sell through chomachoma because I need money to support my family. Once the sesame reaches the flowering stage, I agree on a price with a buyer, who pays in advance and later returns to harvest,” he said.

Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives in Lindi, Mr Kenneth Shemdoe, reiterated the advantages of the warehouse receipt system, highlighting its role in enabling farmers to access competitive market prices.

“In the 2024/2025 season, Lindi Region harvested over 68,000 kilogrammes of sesame, earning farmers more than Sh200 billion,” he noted. “Cashew nut production was also strong, with 115 tonnes generating in excess of Sh300 billion.”

Mr Shemdoe added that selling produce through formal systems greatly enhances productivity and financial returns for farmers, while also strengthening the agricultural value chain throughout the region.