TRADERS at Kahama Central Market in Shinyanga Region have appealed to the government to intervene following growing concerns that foreign buyers are purchasing agricultural produce directly from farmers at farm level, bypassing local markets and leaving registered traders without stock and unable to service bank loans.

The traders allege that buyers from neighbouring countries, including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, are entering farming areas and buying produce in bulk straight from farmers, depriving market-based traders of access to supplies and undermining their businesses.

Chairman of Kahama Central Market traders’ association, Msafiri Nyachekwe, raised the concern earlier this week while addressing CCM leaders during party anniversary activities, which included community clean-up exercises at the market and Kahama Municipal Hospital.

Nyachekwe said that in the past, foreign buyers placed orders through local traders, enabling them to source produce from farmers, earn commissions and meet their financial obligations, including loan repayments.

“Currently, these buyers go directly to farmers and buy everything at the source. This practice is unfair and has severely disrupted our businesses,” he said.

He warned that many traders had taken loans from financial institutions, using their houses as collateral, and now face the risk of loan default and loss of property due to lack of trading stock.

The traders are calling on the government to regulate farm-gate buying practices, enforce existing trade procedures and take action against those violating established market systems.

Beyond the produce trade concerns, traders also cited poor market infrastructure as a major challenge. Trader Athuman Juma said the central market has been without electricity for a prolonged period, despite being located in the heart of Kahama town.

The lack of power, he said, has made it impossible to store perishable goods, leading to spoilage and financial losses. He urged the relevant authorities to restore electricity supply to enable traders to operate effectively.

Juma further noted that the market lacks basic facilities such as toilets and office space, after the former office was converted into a toilet and later allocated to another trader, leaving market leadership without essential working facilities.

Another trader, Mussa Mgendi, complained that traders operating outside the designated market area do not pay levies, unlike those inside the market who comply with municipal charges.

He proposed that all traders be required to operate within the market to ensure fair taxation, enhance revenue collection for Kahama Municipal Council and support local development projects.

Responding to the concerns, Kahama Urban Ward Councillor Edson Andrew said the municipal government would work with relevant authorities to address the issues raised, including regulating uncoordinated farm-level produce purchases and improving market infrastructure through the provision of electricity and sanitation facilities.