Tanzania: 150 cashew nuts farmers join pension scheme

About 150 cashew nuts growers in Tandahimba District, Mtwara Region, have joined with National Social Security Fund (NSSF) this year. The NSSF Mtwara regional manager, Mr Stanley Millanzi, said high produce and good price for the crop in last season have enabled the farmers to subscribe to the scheme. Data obtained from Tandahimba agricultural office shows that during the last season, farmers harvested about 36,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, which earned them Sh60 billion. Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Mr Millanzi said the NSSF initiatives to enroll new members from informal sectors in the region has started to bear fruits as many farmers have shown their interest to join the fund.

Recently, NSSF made sensitisation meetings in Tandahimba town and Mahuta Village to explain the benefits of the fund to farmers. “All members will benefit from our services, except pension which needs for member to contribute for 55 to 60 years, if any of them meet that criteria will also be paid pension,” said Mr Millanzi.  According to him, the fund is also planning to reach farmers in Newala, Masasi and Nanyumbu districts to sensitize the on the benefit of joining the scheme. “The fund is not only for formal sector but also for people in informal sector. Subscribed farmers are contributing only during cashew nuts marketing season,” he noted. He added: “ Most of them showed their interest on treatment profit and all those who subscribed to the fund have paid their full annual contributions.”


Source: thecitizen.co.tz