THE government is moving to establish an official collective marketing system to address significant challenges in harvesting and sale of vegetable and horticultural produce.

Consolata Kiluma, acting deputy registrar of cooperatives, made this affirmation here yesterday when meeting with stakeholders in the horticultural value chain, noting that the new initiative is intended to provide a solution to ills in the sub-sector.

It faces high rates of post-harvest losses and marketing inefficiencies that have long plagued the sector, she said, affirming the government would promote cooperative societies for vegetable and horticultural produce.

The aim is to help farmers’ access reliable markets and collectively purchase agricultural inputs, with the initiative targeting the formation of 113 cooperatives across 12 regions, where 76 are already registered, she stated.

“The goal is to ensure that farmers see the benefits of cooperatives, including easy access to inputs and the ability to sell their produce at profitable prices,” she further noted.

Ibrahimu Kadudu, the project coordinator and assistant registrar responsible for mobilization, said the meeting brought together stakeholders from public institutions, private sector actors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss marketing challenges and helpful ways to support farmers.

“The biggest challenge has been finding proper markets and good prices. With stronger cooperative solidarity, farmers will benefit more,” he said, noting that NGO representatives were invited to contribute to the development of infrastructure and solutions to the challenges facing horticultural farmers.

Mosse Mollel, who is among farmers benefiting from cooperative education, said the formation of the cooperatives has helped them organize collectively, unlike previously when they sold produce individually.

“Now we sell together, we speak with one voice and we have the opportunity to address our challenges,” he said, while Sophia Shauri, a farmer from Mang’ola, said the training would particularly benefit farmers in the Eyasi Valley, especially onion growers.

They are now being organized into groups and collaborating with the government to find solutions to their problems, she said, meanwhile as the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) echoed the registrar’s remarks.

Strengthening cooperative societies remains one of the best strategies for advancing agriculture and ensuring that farmers fully benefit from their efforts, a commission official affirmed.