<p></p><p>FARMERS in the southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara have been advised to ensure that they sell their products through cooperatives and avoid doing so in the black markets which have been exploiting them. The call came amid increase of unscrupulous cashew nut buyers who were buying the products at lower prices below the indicative prices.</p> <p>Speaking to the 'Daily News' at the ongoing agro-business shows taking place at national level here in Ngongo Grounds, the Cooperatives Officer from Mtwara District Council, Mr Hamidu Ndago, noted that selling products through black markets affects farmers. He said that the buyers engaging in such type of transactions were making a huge profits at the expense of poor farmers. According to Mr Ndago, such traders were hoodwinking farmers into believing that selling their products through cooperatives under the warehouse receipt system only meant to benefit cooperative leaders and not them. </p><p>In a move aimed at ensuring that black marketing is contained, Mr Ndago explained that during harvest seasons district council officials were conducting patrols to ensure that such traders do not lure farmers. "We have also been issuing education to the farmers through our local radio stations and also in public meetings where we tell them how these dishonest traders are exploiting them," he said, adding that farmers who were selling their products through proper channels were the ones benefiting most. </p><p>One of the cashew farmers, Mr Hamed Mbinga, explained that they were opting to sell their products through such black markets because they were able to get their money at once unlike in cooperatives where payment was made through instalments. </p><p> </p><br><p></p>