Report launched on Int’ Day of Peasants: 46 per cent of subsidized fertilisers lost

At least 46 percent of subsidised fertilisers does not reach the farmers as planned, retarding government efforts toward promoting agricultural sector ,a new research has revealed.
Presenting research findings at a workshop to mark the International Peasants Day, which was organised on April 16 by the National Network of Farmers Groups in Tanzania (MVIWATA) in Morogoro, Dr Damian Gabagambi said more actions needs to be taken to reverse the trend.
International Day of Peasants’ Struggle, commemorates the massacre of 19 peasants who were struggling for land and justice in Brazil in 1996.
The three-year research h completed last year was conducted in four regions namely, Mbeya, Rukwa, Morogoro and Shinyanga wherein it involved over 7000 farmers.
He said over 70 per cent of interviewed farmers said they did not receive fertiliser subsidy provided by the government due to various reasons, including negligence, hence opted to buy at higher prices.
The don, who is also a senior lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) said delays experienced in the system hinder full implementation of the country’s plan to revive agriculture and reduce poverty.
The system is based on a subsidy mechanism whereby the government contributes about 50 percent of fertilisers to reduce the burden to peasants, most of whom cannot afford to purchase the inputs at market prices.
Dr Gabagambi said after the research which was co-funded by MVIWATA, his team went to Nigeria to learn new techniques which would ensure that no fertiliser subsidy is lost.
“We have borrowed a leaf from Nigeria, whereby we want to ensure that the fertiliser subsidy reaches the intended farmers only and not otherwise,” he said.
He said if accepted, the move would save the government money and improve development of other sectors of the economy.
Commenting on the research, a farmer from Babati District in Manyara, Mr Mohammed Hussein said measures should be taken to ensure that the vouchers reach small holder farmers on time as agents often delay in distributing them intentionally to hike prices.
“Use of fertilsers to some parts of country is crucial for increased production, thus access to them is a way to ensure us of food security and eradicating poverty,” he added.
He faulted the current system of distribution saying the long supply chain has resulted to price fluctuations making fertilisers more expensive in Tanzania and more often reach farmers in wrong season.