Tanzania’s Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) has intensified enforcement measures to combat traders selling subsidized fertilizers outside the official digital platform or at inflated prices.

A crackdown in the Lake Zone region revealed widespread violations, including traders like Pendo Mahe selling Urea fertilizer at 150,000 Tanzanian shillings instead of the government-mandated 86,250 shillings.Registered agents like Kuhoka Sobanja also faced penalties for selling fertilizers without digital system records.TFRA’s Lake Zone Manager, Michael Sanga, emphasized strict legal action against violators to protect farmers from exploitation.The subsidy program, launched in 2022 under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, aims to ensure affordable fertilizers for smallholder farmers.Authorities arrested Mahe and filed smuggling charges against Sobanja for violating price controls and digital distribution rules.

TFRA plans ongoing inspections to prevent smuggling and ensure subsidized fertilizers reach intended beneficiaries, highlighting the program’s role in food security and rural development.