AfricaPress-Tanzania: PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Kusaya has directed the Tanzania Cooperatives Development Commission (TCDC), leaders to make close supervision of the cooperative unions.
He said the commission should supervise closely the cooperatives and union businesses in order to make significant contribution, including stopping embezzlement in the area.
“TCDC leaders should supervise cooperative unions business and stop embezzlement in the unions,” he said.
Mr Kusaya also directed TCDC to pull up their socks in an initiative to revive industries under cooperative unions, saying reviving the ailing industries will uplift the level of farmers’ income.
He gave the directive recently when he met with TCDC commissioners, calling for more local value added finished goods produced from crops in order to improve livelihood.
He pointed out that he does not want to hear of any more conflicts in cooperative unions, but the union leaders should focus on carrying out their duties.
He further urged the cooperative unions to support the fifth phase government’s efforts to provide business operators with a conducive environment to improve the business sector.
“Let us seek the best way to improve business profits in crops. TCDC should revive cooperative unions to advocate for farmers rights,” he said.
Mr Kusaya pointed out that the main challenge facing farmers are lack of packaging for their products, and that the challenge should be turned into an opportunity.
He said growing demand for agricultural inputs poses another challenge to farmers, saying cooperative unions should encourage business operators to set up agricultural input industries.
Mr Kusaya directed TCDC to continue mobilizing strategic crop agriculture, including cotton, tobacco, tea, coffee and cashews in order to increase raw materials.
“Let us continue to mobilize farmers to improve efficiency in agricultural production,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of other commissioners, Commissioner Abdul Marombwa expressed gratitude to the PS for paying a visit to the Commission Headquarters and issuing the directives.
“Let us promise you that TCDC will continue to accord cooperation to cooperative union stakeholders in order to ensure farmers get profit,” he said
