By Our Reporter
Cotton farmers will be allowed to sell their produce to multiple buyers in the next marketing season after the government announced plans to end the single-buyer arrangement, which farmers say has limited their bargaining power.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced the decision on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during a public meeting at SHIRECU grounds in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region, saying the move was intended to encourage competition and improve prices paid to farmers.
“As the leader of government business, I announce from today that in the coming season there will be no single buyer. Multiple buyers will be allowed to purchase cotton so that prices can increase,” he said.
The announcement follows concerns raised by Kishapu MP Lucy Thomas Mayenga, who said the single-buyer arrangement had denied farmers the freedom to choose where to sell their cotton and negotiate better prices.
She also cited difficulties faced by farmers attempting to access markets outside their localities.
Allowing multiple buyers could widen farmers' marketing options and create competition for their produce. However, the benefits will depend on effective implementation and the availability of buyers willing to offer competitive prices.
In a separate directive, Dr Mwigulu instructed Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi to ensure that authorities do not hold people's working tools when the offences they are accused of attract fines rather than other penalties.
He said prolonged impounding of motorcycles, three-wheelers and vehicles undermined people's ability to earn a living and could make it difficult for them to raise money to pay the fines.
“If the matter concerns a fine, our government leaders should demand the fine, return the working tool and allow the person to continue working,” he said.
The Prime Minister said some of the vehicles and motorcycles were acquired through loans and were the main sources of income for their owners and families.
He called on authorities to protect citizens' investments while ensuring that the law is enforced without unnecessarily disrupting their livelihoods.
On road infrastructure, Dr Mwigulu directed the Ministry of Works to accelerate the review and updating of the design for the Kolandoto–Kishapu–Lalago road so that the project can be considered for inclusion in the next financial year's budget.
He said the preparations should establish the proposed road alignment, identify the required bridges and determine compensation for residents whose properties may be affected by construction.
Ms Mayenga told the Prime Minister that although the road was designed in 2017, residents continued to face transport challenges, including damage to goods and delays in taking patients to hospitals.
The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Water to prioritise investment according to the severity of water shortages, particularly in drought-prone areas such as Kishapu Constituency.
On healthcare, he stressed that emergency patients must receive treatment immediately without being delayed by registration procedures.
He also directed health facilities not to demand money from patients for fuel for government ambulances, saying people seeking emergency services should not be subjected to additional financial burdens.
Dr Mwigulu further pledged to seek a report on issues concerning SHIRECU raised by the Kishapu MP to enable the government to examine them and take appropriate action.
He also expressed sympathy for residents from about 57 households affected by strong winds and rainfall, saying the Prime Minister's Office had directed regional authorities to coordinate assistance for the affected families.