MWANZA: FARMERS cultivating green grams and lentils in Kwimba District, Mwanza Region, have been urged to adopt the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) to strengthen postharvest management, improve market access and secure better prices for their produce.
The call was made by the Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Judith Kapinga, during a recent visit to the Ndilima crop storage warehouse in Kwimba District. Ms Kapinga said the WRS has delivered significant gains for farmers and traders, with green gram prices rising from 1,200/- per kilogramme in 2025 to 1,600/- currently.
She emphasised that the government will continue to strengthen and safeguard the system to ensure farmers benefit from fair prices and reliable markets.
According to the minister, the system has added value to agricultural produce and enabled traders to access high-quality products that meet acceptable market standards. Ms Kapinga added that the Warehouse Receipt Regulatory Board (WRRB), in collaboration with the Tanzania Pulses Farmers Association (COPRA), is strengthening coordination across the value chain—from farm production to market access.
Additionally, she said the government has put in place strategies to improve access to better prices and expand warehouse capacity to enable more farmers to benefit from the system.
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On his part, WRRB Executive Director, Mr Asangye Bangu said the system has brought significant transformation in the country.
He explained that over the past five years the board had been operating in Morogoro, but the system has now expanded to Mwanza in a move aimed at bringing services closer to stakeholders and formalising agricultural trade activities.
Kwimba District Commissioner, Mr Ng’wilabuzu Ludigija said the system has begun to yield positive results by increasing the number of traders and strengthening produce purchasing.
He added that through the system, the government is able to see the actual level of production and revenue, which helps curb the smuggling of crops.
Meanwhile, Kwimba Member of Parliament Cosmas Bulala said Hungumalwa is the commercial hub of the district, where 95 percent of residents are farmers. He noted that Kwimba District produces large quantities of green grams and lentils, with approximately 28,000 tonnes of green grams produced last year.
He urged full involvement of the Warehouse Receipt Regulatory Board (WRRB) throughout the production process and emphasised timely provision of inputs and support in accessing reliable markets to raise farmers’ incomes and strengthen both the district and national economy.