<p></p><p>CASHEW growers have been assured payment of their money for cashew nut collected by co-operatives as the government through the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has a 29bn/- loan for the purpose.The Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, told the National Assembly on Thursday that the government's efforts have come to rescue the situation in cashew nut producing areas in Southern Tanzania."The BoT has agreed to release a 29bn/- loan for purchasing of cashew nut now packed in the stores and the government has given a 100 per cent guarantee on the loan," he said.</p> <p>The Premier noted that the 29bn/- would be released between on Thursday and on Friday and that the outcry among farmers would come to an end.Mr Pinda said this while responding to Ms Mariam Kasembe (Masasi-CCM) during routine Thursday's question and answer session to PM.Ms Kasembe asked the Premier over whether the government has taken any measure to rescue cashew farmers from the market crisis experienced this season."In the previous seasons, the warehouse receipt system proved helpful to farmers but this time around things have turned tough on farmers' side as cashew nut are piled up in the warehouses. I would like to know whether there is any plan to rescue farmers from this situation," she asked. </p><p>He noted that fluctuation of prices is a big problem in cashew nut marketing.Mr Pinda called on farmers through their co-operative unions to form a fund that would oversee issues related to pricing of cashew nut.This season (2011/12) Tanzania produced 157,000 tons but only 72,000 tons were sold while other 85,000 tons were still stranded in warehouses of co-operative societies and unions for lack of buyers.Co-operatives which buy raw cashew nut through warehouse receipt system owe farmers 65bn/- being arrears from partial payments of 146,299 tons and 100 per cent arrears from 11,256 tons they collected.Meanwhile, the government has promised to pay pensions amounting to 21bn/- to former Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) workers.</p><p>"Pensions for retired TAZARA workers has been a problem for a while, we have, however, agreed with the beneficiaries that the payments will be done in three installments and the government will start paying soon," the Prime Minister said.He was responding to the question by Ms Angellah Kairuki (Special Seats-CCM) who wanted to know what was the government doing to settle claims of retired staff of TAZARA since 2007.Ms Kairuki noted that government's promises to pay the pensions have been repeatedly made wondering whether the PM would be specific in the matter.The Premier, however, remained noncommittal insisting that payments would be done soon. </p><p> </p><br><p></p>