Pemba. Clove farmers on Pemba Island have been cautioned against selling their cloves to street vendors as the practice not only violates the Zanzibar Clove Development Act, but also exposes them to fraud due to the use of inaccurate measuring units.
Speaking to journalists in Wawi-Chake Chake, Sudi Said Ali, the Managing Director of Zanzibar State Trading Corporation (ZSTC), pointed out that the measuring units used by the middlemen had a larger capacity compared to the standard measure.
Ali made the statement on July 19, 2024, after uncovering the irregular measuring practices during this season’s clove crop inspections.
“Some individuals who do not support the progress of farmers have been purchasing cloves on the streets, contrary to the law, and using inaccurate measuring units,” he said.
He exemplified that a weighing scale confiscated from one of the middlemen, who bought cloves from the farmers, weighed two kilograms each, whereas the correct measure is one and a quarter kilograms.
“While inspecting various areas in Chake Chake District and Mkoani to assess the progress of the crop among farmers, we discovered that some people had been buying cloves from citizens on the streets, even though the corporation had not yet started the clove purchasing exercise,” Sudi said.
He explained that the corporation had been actively providing farmers with seedlings to increase the production of the clove crop, but such efforts, he said, had been undermined by some individuals.
Further, he called upon farmers not to sell their cloves to anyone, saying that the corporation had not authorized anyone to purchase cloves on its behalf and instead he wanted them to wait for the launch of the new clove season.
He added that the corporation, in collaboration with regional and district security committees, would continue to monitor those approaching and deceiving the farmers into selling their cloves, saying that those caught would face legal action.
Abdalla Ali Ussi, the Deputy Secretary of the corporation on Pemba Island, stated that they had been advising farmers to refrain from activities that undermine the clove crop.
Some farmers, however, admitted that they sometimes sold cloves to street vendors because they were making immediate payments, unlike the corporations, whose payments were delayed due to bureaucratic processes.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
