<p>Smallholder cashew farmers have blamed government for not helping them boost the industry in the country. The blame is contained in findings of a research conducted in Lindi and Mtwara regions by the Agricultural Non State Actors Forum (ANSAF) which said unfavourable grading system remains a major obstacle to the industry’s growth.</p> <p>The findings of the study were presented in Dar es Salaam at the weekend at a meeting which discussed the sector’s development.</p> <p>It was revealed that small-scale farmers highly recommend the removed of the grading system saying that it is not effective in giving them favourable prices. The Dar es Salaam assembly was told that farmers are not informed of the prices before the sale of their produce as they are kept waiting until their crop is bought.</p> <p>The farmers, the meeting was told, also complained that the second grading system was unfair to them because it does not exist in other countries except in Tanzania. The first grading system is referred to as ‘Standard’ while the second one is called ‘Undergrade’.</p> <p>The farmers have appealed to Cashewnut Board of Tanzania (CBT) to revise the unfavourable grading system to boost the income of farmers who basically depend on the crop for their livelihood. An experienced Indian businessman argued that grading should not be removed since cashew nuts come in different sizes requiring being graded accordingly.</p> <p>Diana Makule, Principal Economist in the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the government treats each sector in accordance with its contribution to the national economy. “We look at the role a sector plays in the economy and channel the required support there,” he said.</p> <p>CBT Director General Mfaume Juma said that not all recommendations are applicable or worthy to be implemented such as the removal of warehouse as it would deny farmers sensible profits. However, he said CBT has developed a strategy to be implemented in 2020 whereby 20 per cent of the crop will be locally processed.</p> <p>“Our view is that if we process the crop 100 percent locally then we shall be able to sell more than 100bn/- cashew nuts and also create 40,000 jobs,” he said</p> <p>Cashew nuts constitute 18 percent of the country’s export earnings and an important source of income for some 250,000 small holder farmers in the southern coastal regions Mtwara, Lindi and part of Ruvum Region.</p>