CASHEW farmers from the Masasi-Mtwara and Nanyumbu Cooperative Union (MAMCU) have experienced a prosperous season, having sold 579 tonnes of cashewnuts at favourable prices in the 11th auction of the 2024/2025 season.

The auction, held early this week at Mpapula village in Mtwara, saw cashews selling for   higher price of 2,140/- against  of 1,810/- under the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) system.

Farmers, who gathered in large numbers at the auction, expressed their satisfaction with this season's prices, which are significantly higher compared to previous years. 

Ally Mohamed, a farmer from Mpapula village, praised the steady prices since the start of the auctions in October and thanked the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for supporting farmers in the southern regions.

“These prices are a great relief. We are grateful to the government for ensuring good prices and treating us with respect as farmers. This has boosted our confidence in the sector,” Mohamed said.

Asha Juma, another farmer, shared the same statement, saying   good prices had allowed her to sell over six tonnes of cashewnuts and build a house for her family, a milestone she had not achieved in previous seasons. 

“Thanks to the government’s support, we are seeing real progress. This season has been a game-changer,” Juma said.

Fadhili Salumu, a farmer from Libobe village, also expressed satisfaction with the prices, confirming the sale of cashewnuts at the agreed prices of 2,140/- for high-quality nuts and 1,860/- for others.

Azam JulaJula, chairman of MAMCU, highlighted that the union had successfully conducted 11 auctions, with farmers receiving more than 365bn/-in payments. 

Over 115,000 tonnes of cashews from MAMCU farmers have been sold, and payments have been made on time.

“Thanks to the support from the government, our farmers are benefiting from timely payments, and we look forward to continued success in the coming years,”JulaJula said.

The farmers expressed optimism that with sustained government efforts to maintain fair prices and secure markets, the cashew sector will continue to thrive, contributing to the overall economic growth of the southern regions and Tanzania as a whole.