The
background of Tanzania Cotton Board can be traced from 1952
when the Tanganyika Lint and seed Board was formed by the
British Colonial Administration with the aim of marketing
the cotton from Tanganyika.
In
1973, the Tanzania Cotton Authority (TCA) was formed by
the Act of Parliament with the function of promoting the
development of the cotton sector. However in 1976 the government
dissolved the co-operative Unions and TCA took over control
of the cotton sector from production, buying seed cotton
from the farmers, processing to the export of cotton lint.
But
in 1984, the government reinstated the Regional Co-operative
Unions (RCUs) by enacting the Tanzania Cotton Marketing
Act No.19 of 1984 which repealed Tanzania Cotton Authority
and established Tanzania Cotton Marketing Board (TCMB).
The functions of TCMB were regulatory in nature but also
included exporting of cotton lint on behalf of the Regional
Co-operative Unions.
In
1993 the government liberalised the entire cotton industry
as part of the on going economic recovery and structural
adjustment programmes, culminating into the formation of
Tanzania Cotton Lint and Seed Board by Act of Parliament
(Miscellaneous Amendment Act) No 11 of 1993. The Board became
the exclusive overseer of the cotton sector regulation in
Tanzania.
Due to the inherent deficiencies in the amendment of Act
No. 19 of 1984 for example with regard to lack of provisions
for promotion of cotton production, and of funding for cotton
research and development, market information and extension
services, a new statute has come into force which seeks
to put in force a new and more enabling regulatory framework
for the cotton sector.
The
new statute; "The Cotton Industry Act 2001", provides for
the formation of a new Board to be called "Tanzania Cotton
Board". The latter replaces the Tanzania Cotton Lint and
Seed Board.
THE
ROLES OF TANZANIA COTTON BOARD (TCB).
The new statute seeks to put in place a legal and regulatory
framework aimed at improving and developing the cotton industry
by promoting, facilitating and monitoring the functioning
of the entire production, marketing, processing and export
chain of cotton business and in particular:
1.
To promote the growth of production, processing and marketing
of cotton.
2.
To promote and regulate the quality, marketing and export
of cotton.
3.
To advice the government on all matters affecting the
cotton industry.
4.
To collect, refine and disseminate information concerning
cotton and promote its use for development and improvement
of the sector.
5.
To monitor production, processing and marketing cost of
cotton.
6.
To promote the establishment of associations of stakeholders.
7.
To promote good farming methods and increased production
of cotton through farmers' education.
8.
To stimulate research and agricultural extension services.
9.
To encourage free competition and establishment of prices
by market forces.
10.
To establish quality standards of seed cotton and cotton
lint and to ensure the compliance of such standards by
person licensed.
11.
To determine the manner and quantity of cotton seed any
ginner or owner of seed cotton and shall retain for purpose
of planting having regard to geographical location.
12.
To permit and license buyers seed cotton, exporters of
cotton lint, operators of ginneries and to determine the
qualifications for granting such permits.
13.
In liaison with stakeholders, to represent the government
and stakeholders in all international for a relating to
or dealing with cotton industry.
14.
To provide a forum for discussions among various stakeholder
categories of the sector except price negotiations.
15.
To protect the interests of farmers against syndicate
of buyers.
16.
To formulate regulations for cotton cultivation, marketing,
processing, importation, exportation and storage of seed
cotton and cotton lint.
