Tanzania Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo has announced that the government is in the final stages of establishing a collaborative framework with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs to set up specialized police desks dedicated to handling cooperative society matters across the country.
Speaking in Dodoma, during the launch of the “Protect Cooperatives, Choose Integrity” campaign, Chongolo said the initiative is aimed at strengthening accountability, curbing corruption and embezzlement, and ensuring that those involved in malpractice face legal action without favouritism.
He stressed that the government will not tolerate leaders of cooperative societies who misuse members’ resources, citing the case of Sikonge AMCOS, which lost more than Sh1.2 billion due to financial mismanagement. He also condemned fraudulent practices in crop purchasing, including the manipulation of weighing scales.
Chongolo noted that the cooperative sector contributes more than Sh6 trillion to the economy, underscoring the need for robust management systems to safeguard members’ interests and promote farmers’ economic growth.
“The government will not allow a few dishonest individuals to sabotage the cooperative movement, which remains a vital pillar of farmers’ economic empowerment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Ayoub Mohamed Mahmoud affirmed his ministry’s readiness to work closely with the agriculture sector in strengthening security and combating criminal activities within cooperative societies.
On his part, Ghati Chomeke, a representative of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Fisheries, emphasized the need to expand education for cooperative members on market access and crop value to improve commercial decision-making and boost incomes.
