TABORA, Oct. 4 -- THE Minister for Agriculture, Daniel Chongolo has given tobacco-buying companies until October 30, 2026, to clear outstanding payments owed to farmers, warning that there is no justification for delaying payment after the crop has been sold.

He issued the directive during a meeting with tobacco industry stakeholders in Tabora on October 3, 2026, where farmers, Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS), buyers and the Tanzania Tobacco Board discussed challenges facing the sector, including rising input costs, market access, outdated tobacco-drying technology and delayed payments to cooperatives and local government authorities.

Commenting on input prices, the minister said the government has deliberately dela...