Farmers and traders can lose significant amounts of money through inaccurate measurements of agricultural produce and other goods, the Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) said on Saturday, urging businesses to use verified weighing equipment.
WMA Finance Manager Ibrahim Mbinga said poor measurement practices were an often overlooked source of financial losses for farmers, traders and consumers, particularly when small losses were repeated across many transactions.
“Every kilogramme, every litre that is lost is money that has left your pocket,” Mbinga told stakeholders visiting the WMA pavilion at the 33rd Nane Nane agricultural exhibition in Dodoma.
He said traders often underestimate the financial impact of using buckets, tins and other unofficial measuring containers instead of verified weighing scales.
Using maize as an example, Mbinga said a farmer with a 100-kilogramme bag could lose about 10 kilogrammes if the produce was sold using an inaccurate measurement method.
If the bag was worth 100,000 Tanzanian shillings, that would translate into a loss of 10,000 shillings, he said.
A farmer selling 10 such bags a week could therefore lose about 100,000 shillings weekly, or roughly 1.2 million shillings over four weeks.
“Where would that money have gone?” Mbinga asked.
The example reflects a broader challenge for small businesses, where losses from individual transactions can appear insignificant but accumulate over time.
Mbinga said accurate measurement was not only a regulatory requirement but also a basic financial management tool that could help farmers and traders understand how much they were buying, selling and earning.
He also pointed to consumers, who can lose money when they pay for quantities they do not receive.
“When you buy 19 litres of fuel instead of 20, or 18 kilogrammes of rice instead of 20, you pay the full price and receive less of the product. That is a direct loss,” he said.
The warning comes as Tanzania seeks to improve the efficiency of agricultural markets and strengthen formal business practices among small enterprises, many of which depend on accurate transactions to protect already narrow profit margins.
Records and access to finance
Mbinga said proper measurement could also help farmers and traders build business records that may become important when seeking loans from financial institutions.
“Banks today do not only ask for collateral. They also want records,” he said.
A farmer who uses a verified weighing scale and maintains receipts, he added, can build a more credible record of sales and business activity.
“Accurate measurements give you a history of your business, which is something the bank needs,” Mbinga said.
For small businesses, reliable sales records can help demonstrate turnover and cash flow, although access to credit depends on other factors, including the lender’s requirements and the borrower’s ability to repay.
The WMA official urged traders to treat weighing equipment as an investment rather than an additional cost.
Fines add to business risks
Mbinga also warned traders and farmers against using unofficial measuring instruments, saying they could face penalties under Tanzania’s weights and measures regulations.
“Using unofficial measuring instruments is an offence under the law. When you are caught, you pay a fine and in some cases goods may be detained,” he said.
Such enforcement action could create additional costs for businesses already operating with limited margins, he said.
He encouraged traders to buy weighing and measuring instruments that have been verified by WMA to ensure they meet the required standards.
The agency’s message is particularly relevant in agricultural markets, where produce such as maize, rice and other commodities are frequently traded by weight or volume.
Reliable measurements can reduce disputes between buyers and sellers and provide a common basis for pricing.
Trust as a commercial asset
Mbinga also urged traders to view accurate measurement as part of building customer trust.
“A customer who knows that they receive what they are entitled to will come back again and again and bring others. That reduces the cost of looking for customers. Trust pays,” he said.
For small businesses, repeat customers can be an important source of stable revenue. Consistent measurement can also reduce complaints and strengthen a trader’s reputation in local markets.
Mbinga said traders should complement accurate measurements with receipts and sales records to monitor income and expenditure.
Such records can help businesses identify where money is being lost and provide a clearer picture of their financial performance, he said.
The WMA has been using the Nane Nane exhibition to educate farmers, traders and consumers on weights and measures, among other issues affecting commercial transactions.
Participants at the WMA pavilion welcomed the agency’s approach of bringing professionals from different fields to provide practical information.
Some said the financial education had changed their understanding of how measurement practices could affect their earnings.
Mbinga concluded with the WMA slogan, “Measure Fairly, Earn Legitimate Profit,” urging businesses to make accurate measurement part of their daily operations.
For farmers and traders operating on tight margins, the message was straightforward: a small quantity lost in one transaction may seem insignificant, but repeated losses can eventually become a substantial cost to the business.
