The Regional Commissioner of Lindi, Zainab Terack, made these remarks on September 18, 2023, while delivering a regional report in the presence of President Samia Suluhu Hassan during a public gathering, coinciding with the laying of the foundation stone for the road connecting Nanganga District in Mtwara to Ruangwa in Lindi.

She explained that in the past, farmers of this crop used to sell raw pigeon peas for TZS 2,000 per kilogram. She further clarified that after agreeing with the Ministry of Agriculture to allow sales through the warehouse receipt system, the price per kilogram increased from TZS 2,000 to TZS 2,005.

The Regional Commissioner also revealed that sesame production had generated TZS 98 billion for farmers this season, and she added that the cashew nut crop brought in TZS 106 billion in the previous season.

Additionally, the region has implemented strategies to increase the production of these crops. She emphasized the shift from pigeon peas being considered a vegetable to now being seen as a business.