Hassan Magulumali
Tanzania’s government has directed regional and district authorities to ensure farmers purchase fertiliser at officially guided prices, in a move aimed at reducing agricultural production costs, increasing crop yields and improving farmers’ incomes.
The directive was issued on October 18, 2026, by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, during a public meeting in Iringa Region.
Shemdoe said regional commissioners and district commissioners must ensure fertiliser traders comply with government price guidelines instead of charging farmers excessive prices.
He made the remarks after being given an opportunity by Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi to explain measures being taken by the government to improve services for citizens during the Vice-President’s visit to inspect development projects in the region.
Shemdoe said the government had agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture to display fertiliser price guidelines on public notice boards in relevant areas, enabling farmers to know the approved prices before making purchases.
“We have agreed with the Minister of Agriculture that fertiliser price guidelines will be displayed on notice boards in the relevant areas, and traders will be required to sell fertiliser to farmers at those prices,” Shemdoe said.
He urged regional and district leaders to take responsibility for enforcing the directive and ensuring farmers are protected against unjustified price increases.
The measure is intended to improve transparency in the fertiliser market and prevent farmers from facing unnecessary financial pressure during planting seasons, when demand for agricultural inputs typically rises.
Vice-President Ndejembi welcomed the directive and challenged local government leaders to conduct inspections in their respective areas rather than relying solely on office-based supervision.
He said enforcement must involve the entire administrative structure, from regional and district authorities to ward and village officials.
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“If the regional commissioner, regional administrative secretary, district commissioner, district administrative secretary, divisional officer, ward executive officer and village executive officer do not properly supervise the implementation of the price guidelines, farmers will continue to suffer from high fertiliser prices even if notices are displayed,” Ndejembi stressed.
His remarks highlighted the importance of monitoring actual transactions between traders and farmers, rather than treating the publication of official prices as sufficient evidence of compliance.
The Vice-President added that protecting farmers from unfair pricing was consistent with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to ensuring citizens are treated fairly when purchasing goods and accessing social services.
Fertiliser is an important agricultural input because it replenishes soil nutrients and can improve crop productivity when used appropriately. However, high input costs can discourage farmers from applying adequate quantities, potentially affecting yields and household incomes.
For smallholder farmers, who account for a substantial share of Tanzania’s agricultural production, fertiliser prices can influence decisions about the size of cultivated land, the crops planted and the amount of money available for other farming activities.
Tanzania’s agricultural sector supports millions of livelihoods and contributes to food security, rural employment and the supply of raw materials for agro-processing industries.
Reducing production costs is therefore important not only for individual farmers but also for the wider economy. More affordable agricultural inputs can help farmers manage seasonal expenses, although the benefits ultimately depend on fertiliser availability, appropriate application, weather conditions, access to markets and the prices farmers receive for their crops.
The government has continued to use agricultural input support measures, including fertiliser subsidies, to improve farmers’ access to essential supplies. Effective implementation requires reliable distribution systems, transparent pricing and sufficient stocks in farming communities.
The latest directive places responsibility on local authorities to ensure that official fertiliser prices are followed at the point of sale.
Displaying prices publicly could help farmers compare charges and identify traders who sell above the applicable guidelines. However, the effectiveness of the measure will depend on whether officials conduct regular inspections, respond to complaints and take appropriate action when violations are established.
Authorities will also need to ensure that fertiliser remains available in sufficient quantities, as price controls alone cannot guarantee that farmers will obtain the products they need at the right time.
Clear communication of approved prices is equally important. Farmers and traders need access to accurate, current price information applicable to their locations and the different fertiliser products being sold.
The government’s approach seeks to make agricultural production more affordable while strengthening accountability among traders and public officials.
The enforcement of fertiliser price guidelines is part of the broader ambition to protect farmers, raise agricultural productivity, improve incomes and strengthen national food security.
The government has linked these objectives to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the economy and improve citizens’ livelihoods through higher productivity and sustainable economic growth.
Agriculture remains central to that ambition because improvements in farm productivity can increase rural incomes, support agro-processing and strengthen domestic food supplies.
The success of the directive will ultimately depend on whether farmers experience a meaningful reduction in input costs and whether the savings contribute to better production and household welfare.
By directing regional, district, ward and village leaders to supervise fertiliser sales, the government has made local enforcement a central part of the initiative. The next test will be whether that supervision translates into consistent compliance across farming communities throughout the country.
