Dar es Salaam, April 30 -- DODOMA: THE Ministry of Agriculture is exploring a better model for cotton trading to enhance competition among buyers and raise farm gate prices, Deputy Minister David Silinde told the National Assembly yesterday.

The move follows a recommendation by Maswa West MP Mashimba Ndaki (CCM) who questioned the governments measures to ensure stronger competition among traders purchasing cotton from farmers.

Mr Ndaki proposed that the government considers adopting the Simiyu Model of cotton trading, where individual buyers purchase directly from farmers as a way to empower farmers and improve their returns.

In response, Deputy Minister Silinde said the government had taken the suggestion into consideration and emphas...