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Cotton Industry Act

Chapter 201

Cotton Industry Act
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Tanzania

Cotton Industry Act

Chapter 201

  • Published in Tanzania Government Gazette
  • Commenced on 1 July 2004 by Cotton Industry (Date of Commencement) Order, 2004
  • [This is the version of this document from 14 March 2025.]
  • [Note: This legislation was revised and consolidated as at 31 July 2002 and 30 November 2019 by the Attorney General's Office, in compliance with the Laws Revision Act No. 7 of 1994, the Revised Laws and Annual Revision Act (Chapter 356 (R.L.)), and the Interpretation of Laws and General Clauses Act No. 30 of 1972. All subsequent amendments have been researched and applied by Laws.Africa for TANZLII.]
  1. [Amended by Crops Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2009 (Act 20 of 2009) on 25 December 2009]
  2. [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2025 (Act 1 of 2025) on 14 March 2025]
An Act to enact the Cotton Industry Act, to establish the Tanzania Cotton Board, to make better provisions for the regulation, improvement and development of the cotton industry and for related matters.

Part I – Preliminary provisions (ss 1-2)

1. Short title and commencement

This Act may be cited as the Cotton Industry Act, and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette appoint.

2. Interpretation

(1)In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise—"agro-inputs" includes certified seeds, agro-chemicals and gears necessary for the application of such agro-chemicals;"Board" means the Tanzania Cotton Board established by section 3(1);"buying licence" means a buying licence issued under the provisions of this Act;"contract farming" means farming under agreements between cotton growers, farmers or producers on the one part and financiers including cotton buyers, ginneries investors or bankers. on the other part;[definition of "contract farming" inserted by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"Cotton Appeals Board" means an adjudication machinery for determination of disputes established by section 51;"cotton buyer" means a person licensed as such under the provisions of this Act;"Cotton Development Fund" [definition of "Cotton Development Fund" deleted by section 43(b) of Act 20 of 2009]"cotton lint" means ginned cotton;"cotton plant" means the plant gossypium species, and includes any portion of such plant;"cotton seed" means cotton seed produced from seed cotton;"cotton quarantine area" means an area declared to be as such under this Act;"Director" means an officer in-charge of the department responsible for crop development;"Director General" means the Chief Executive Officer of the Board appointed under section 39 of the Act;[definition of "Director General" inserted by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"export" means export outside Tanzania;"extension officer" means an extension officer appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act;"ginnery" means any place in which seed cotton is converted into cotton lint;"ginning licence" means a ginning licence issued under the provisions of section 28;"grade A cotton" means mature seed cotton which is white and free from stain, extraneous matter or damage from any cause;"grade B cotton" means any seed cotton of a merchantable quality inferior to grade A cotton;"grower" means any person who grows cotton plants;"input" means planting materials, agrochemicals, fertilizers, farm implements and packaging materials;[definition of "input" inserted by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"inspector" means an inspector appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 37;"licensed ginner" means a holder of a valid ginning licence;"local government authority" means the district authority, the urban authority established under the Local Government (District Authorities) Act and the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act.[Caps 287 and 288][definition of "local government authority" inserted by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"member" in relation to the Board of Directors means a member of the Board of Directors and includes the Chairman of the Board;"Minister" means the Minister for the time being responsible for agriculture;"Ministry" means the ministry for the time being responsible for agriculture;"regulatory function" includes quality control anci licensing; data collection, analysis and dissemination, market information, enforcement of law and order, making and enforcing rules and regulations for proper production, processing, marketing, importation, exportation and storage of cotton inputs and products, setting indicative prices and such other functions financed exclusively by the Government;[definition of "regulatory function" inserted by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"seed cotton" means any cotton after picking and before it has been ginned;"society" means a co-operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act1.1Cap. 211"stakeholder" means a dealer in the-cotton inclustry including the Government, local government authorities, cooperative societies, the Board and private players such as producers, producer associations, traders, processors, marketing agents, exporters, input suppliers, research and extension institutions, financial institutions and any other person with vested interest in the cotton industry;[definition of "stakeholder" added by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]"stakeholders meeting" means a meeting of all cotton stakeholders referred to under this Act.[definition of "stakeholders meeting" added by section 43(a) of Act 20 of 2009]
(2)"Buy" and "sell" includes an offer to buy or, as the case may be, an offer to sell and also any transaction whereby the property in the article in relation to which the expression is used may pass to the buyer in future.
(3)The Director may, subject to such limitations and restrictions as he may determine, by order published in the Gazette, delegate all or any of his functions under this Act to any public officer or other authority.
(4)Where any order or direction made or given by the Director or the Board under any provision of this Act is not expressly required by that provision to be published in the Gazette, such order or direction shall be brought to the notice of persons affected or likely to be affected in such manner as the Director or, as the case may be, the Board may determine:Provided that if any such order or direction is published in the Gazette, all persons shall be deemed to have notice thereof.
(5)The expression "offence against this Act" shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include an offence under any subsidiary legislation made under this Act.

Part II – The Tanzania Cotton Board (ss 3-6)

3. Establishment of the Cotton Board

(1)There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Tanzania Cotton Board which shall—
(a)have perpetual succession and a common seal;
(b)in its corporate name be capable of suing and being sued;
(c)be capable of purchasing or acquiring and managing in any manner and alienating any movable and immovable property;
(d)entering into any contract or agreement and doing all such other things or acts for the proper performance of its functions under the provisions of this Act which may lawfully be done or performed by a body corporate.
(2)The provisions of the First Schedule shall have effect as to the constitution, tenure of office, proceedings of and other matters relating to the Board.

4. Management of the Board

The power to carry out the operations and management of the Board shall vest in the Board of Directors.

5. Functions of the Board

(1)The Board shall carry out regulatory functions and such other activities necessary, advantageous or proper for the benefit of the cotton industry;[subsection (1) substituted by section 44(a) of Act 20 of 2009]
(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1), the functions of the Board shall be to—
(a)advise the Government on the policies and strategies for the development of the cotton industry;
(b)regulate and control the quality of cotton and cotton byproducts;
(c)collect, refine, maintain, use or disseminate information or data relating to the cotton industry;
monitor the production and exportation of cotton;
(d)make regulations fot processing, exportation and storage of cotton and cotton by-products;
(e)promote and protect the interests of farmers against syndicates of buyers which may be formed through associations;
(f)to monitor consumption of Cotton Lint in Local textile industries;
(g)promote the development of the cotton industry; and
(h)represent the Government in local and international fora in matters relating to the cotton industry.
[subsection (2) inserted by section 44(a) of Act 20 of 2009]
(3)In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (1) and subject to any special or general directions of the Minister, the Board shall have power—
(a)to permit or licence buyers and exporters of seed cotton, cotton lint, operators or ginneries;
(b)to issue export permits for cotton seed, cotton lint and other cotton by-products;
(c)to establish quality standards for cotton seed, seed cotton and cotton lint and to ensure the compliance of such standards by persons licensed hereunder;
(d)to provide for a forum for discussions and negotiations among various stakeholders in the sector;
(e)to determine the manner and quantity of cotton seed which any ginner or owner of seed cotton shall retain for the purpose of planting having regard to geographical location;
(f)to do anything or enter into any transaction which in the opinion of the Board is calculated to facilitate the proper and efficient carrying out of its activities and the proper exercise of its functions under the provisions of this Act.
[subsection (3), previously subsection (2), renumbered by section 44(b) of Act 20 of 2009]
(4)The Minister may, if he considers it expedient, direct the Board to perform any commercial function for a specified period.[subsection (4), previously subsection (3), renumbered by section 44(b) of Act 20 of 2009]
(5)The Board shall have power, for the purpose of carrying out its functions, to do all such acts and things as appear to be requisite, advantageous or convenient for or in connection with the carrying out of its functions or to be incidental or conducive to their proper discharge, and may carry on any activity in that behalf either alone or in association with the Government, a local authority or any other person or body of persons.[subsection (5), previously subsection (4), renumbered by section 44(b) of Act 20 of 2009]
(6)For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the foregoing provisions with respect to the powers of the Board relate only to its capacity as a body corporate and nothing in that subsection shall authorise the disregard by the Board of any enactment or rule of law.[subsection (6), previously subsection (5), renumbered by section 44(b) of Act 20 of 2009]

6. Minister may give directions to the Board

(1)The Minister may give to the Board directions of a general or specific character as to the carrying out of its functions and the exercise of its powers in relation to matters appearing to the Minister to affect the national interest and the Board shall give effect to every such direction.
(2)Where the Board fails to perform any of its functions without good cause or to give effect to any of the Minister's directions, the Minister may exercise disciplinary powers he may deem fit against the Board of Directors.

Part III – Cultivation of cotton (ss 7-14)

7. Cotton to be grown in specified areas

(1)The Director may, by order published in the Gazette, subject to such exemptions as he may specify therein, prescribe areas in Mainland Tanzania where cotton plant may be grown.
(2)Any person who, in contravention of any order made under this section, plants cotton on any land to which such order applies, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

8. Varieties of cotton to be grown

(1)The Director shall prescribe varieties of cotton to be grown in different parts of Tanzania.
(2)It shall be an offence for any person to grow any cotton variety which has not been prescribed by the Director.

9. Restriction on cotton seed importation, breeding and multiplication

(1)No person shall import, breed or multiply cotton seeds or plants for any purpose without the permit issued by the Director.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such a fine and imprisonment and such seeds or plants shall be destroyed by the Board on behalf of the Director at the cost of the defendant.
(3)The Board on behalf of the Director, shall make arrangements for multiplication of foundation and certified cotton seeds for planting.

10. Only certified seed to be grown

No cotton grower shall grow cotton seeds which have not been certified by the Director and any person who contravenes the provisions of this section, commits an offence.

11. Reservation of cotton seeds

(1)The Board shall cause to be reserved by a ginnersuch quantity and quality of cotton seeds as the Director may from time to time by notice in writing direct and shall hold such cotton seeds to the order of the Director.[subsection (1) amended by section 19(a) of Act 1 of 2025]
(2)Any cotton seeds reserved pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) shall become the property of the Director from the date of the notice reserving such seeds.
(3)All cotton seeds reserved pursuant to the provisions of subsection (2) above shall be dusted, bagged, transported, delivered, stored and sold to the public in the prescribed manner.
(4)Every package of cotton seed offered for sale shall be labelled in accordance with specifications set out under the provisions of the Seeds (Regulation of Standards) Act2.2Cap. 308
(5)A person who fails to reserve and handle cotton seeds as required under this section commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than ten million shillings.[subsection (5) added by section 19(b) of Act 1 of 2025]

12. Power to appoint agro-inputs suppliers

The Board shall have power to appoint fit and proper persons for the supply and distribution of agro-inputs and their applicators.

13. Declaration of quarantine area

(1)The Director may, if he considers it necessary for the purpose of preventing the outbreak or spread of any cotton insect, pest or disease, by order under his hand, declare any area to be a cotton quarantine area and may in any such order—
(a)prohibit or regulate the sowing in such area of cotton seed or any other crop specified in the order known to harbour insect, pest or diseases of cotton;
(b)prohibit the removal from such area without a permit in writing issued by the Director of any seed cotton or cotton seed or any plant or any article which has contained any seed cotton or cotton seed or any article which in his opinion is likely to harbour insect, pests or diseases of cotton.
(2)The Director may by written notice require any person within the time specified in such notice to remove to any place or to destroy any seed cotton, cotton seed or cotton refuse in his possession or control in such cotton quarantine area, and where any such person fails to comply with any such notice, the Director may, on giving not less than seven days' notice in writing of his intention so to do, cause such removal or destruction to be effected and there upon such person shall, without prejudice to any penalty which he may have incurred by reason of such failure be liable to pay all costs of such undertaking which costs shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Government.
(3)Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of any order or notice made or issued under this section commits an offence.

14. Prevention of diseases

(1)The Director may, by order under his hand, for the purpose of preventing or controlling the occurrence or spread of any insect, pests or diseases of cotton within any area specified in such order—
(a)require that within such area—
(i)all or any cotton plants, cotton residues or any plant specified in the order, be uprooted and burned by any person possessing or having control over the same;
(ii)all or any seed cotton, cotton seed or cotton refuse be burned;
(b)require any grower within such area forthwith to harvest such of his seed cotton as, in the opinion of the Director, is ready for harvesting;
(c)prohibit any person within such area from planting any cotton seed or cotton plant before a date specified in the order.
(2)Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of any order made under this section commits an offence.
(3)Where any person fails to carry out the provisions of any order made under subsection (1) of this section, the Director may, after giving not less than seven days' notice in writing of his intention to do so, cause such measures to be taken as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of such order and thereupon such person shall, without prejudice to any penalty which he may have incurred by reason of such failure, be liable to pay all the costs of such undertaking which costs shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Government.

14A. Contract farming

(1)A registered farmer may, for the purposes of facilitating farming activities, enter into contract farming with financier, cotton buyer, cotton processor, investor or banker.
(2)The contract farming entered into under subsection (1) shall be in the prescribed standard form and shall contain—
(a)name, address and status of the registered farmer;
(b)name, address and status of the financier;
(c)obligations of the parties;
(d)type or kind of facilitation to be granted to the farmer;
(e)terms and conditions imposed on the farmer; and
(f)such other information as may be necessary for the purpose of the contract farming.
(3)Every contract farming entered into under this section shall be submitted to the Board for perusal and registration.
(4)The Board shall have the mandate to monitor the implementation of the contract farming in order to protect rights of both parties.
(5)Any person being a financier, cotton buyer, cotton processor, investor or banker shall not facilitate a registered farmer in any manner without a contract of farming as required under this section.
(6)A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months but not more than two years or to both.
[section 14A inserted by section 48 of Act 20 of 2009]

Part IV – Marketing, licensing and warehousing (ss 15-26)

15. Grower to grade seed cotton before sale

Every grower shall grade all seed cotton intended for sale into Grade A or Grade B cotton before any such cotton is sold by him.

16. Board to determine the grades of cotton

The Board may by order determine grades of seed cotton for sale at specified areas and for a specified period.

17. Mixing different grades of seed cotton prohibited

(1)No person shall mix any other seed cotton with Grade A seed cotton.
(2)No person shall mix any other seed cotton with Grade B seed cotton or any unmerchantable cotton with graded cotton.
(3)Any person who sells seed cotton without first grading the same or mixes unmerchantable cotton with graded cotton, commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to pay a fine of not less than fifty thousand shillings or imprisonment for a minimum term of three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(4)Any person who buys improperly graded seed cotton or graded cotton mixed with unmerchantable cotton, commits an offence.

18. Restriction on cotton buying

(1)No person other than a holder of a valid seed cotton buying licence shall buy seed cotton.
(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), where an association or co-operative society licensed as a cotton buyer, buys seed cotton through its members, such members shall not be required to be licensed as cotton buyers.
(3)No cotton buyer shall buy seed cotton at any place other than at a cotton buying post specified in his cotton buying licence.
(4)Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence.

19. Cotton buying licences

(1)The Board shall, on application made, issue to the applicant a cotton buying licence in the prescribed form which shall entitle the applicant to buy seed cotton and every such cotton buying licence shall specify the cotton buying post or posts at which the holder shall conduct the buying operations.
(2)A cotton buying licence shall, unless previously revoked or surrendered, remain in force until the fifteenth day of November for Western Cotton Growing Area and the fifteenth day of January for Eastern Cotton Growing Area following the date of issue of such licence and the Board shall have power to extend the validity of the licence on sufficient grounds.

20. Provisions relating to cotton buying licences

(1)A cotton buyer shall produce his cotton buying licence at all reasonable times upon request of the inspector and any buyer who fails without reasonable cause to produce his licence when so requested commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to pay a fine of not less than two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2)A cotton buying licence shall not be assignable or transferable.

21. Cotton warehousing

(1)No person shall erect or operate a cotton store for the purpose of storing seed cotton without the permission in writing of the Board.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence.

22. Cotton buying posts

(1)The Board may, by notice, order any premises or place to be a cotton buying post either temporarily or on a permanent basis and no person shall sell any seed cotton except at a cotton buying post.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to pay a fine of not less than two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a minimum term of three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

23. Purchase of cotton

(1)The Board may, by order—
(a)fix a date in each year prior to which no seed cotton shall be bought in any specified area;
(b)declare the unit of weight to be used for the purpose of weighing seed cotton in any specified area;
(c)fix a date in each year after which no seed cotton shall be bought in any specified area;
(d)fix hours and days on which the premises of cotton buyers shall be kept open for the purpose of conducting business.
(2)Any cotton buyer who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of any order made under this section commits an offence.

24. Prices to be linked to world market

All traders in the cotton industry shall be guided in their dealings in respect of prices and quality by prevailing international marketing information.

25. Conditions to be observed by cotton buyers

(1)Every cotton buyer shall—
(a)at all times when his premises are open for business, display in Kiswahili and English version in conspicuous letters the prices offered by him per unit weight of each grade of seed cotton;
(b)display standard grade sample box approved by the Board;
(c)keep and render such accounts of his dealings in seed cotton as may be prescribed;
(d)display a weighing scale properly serviced, inspected and approved by the Weights and Measurements Department of the Ministry of Trade and Industries;
(e)store all seed cotton in his possession in a cotton store at one or any of the cotton buying posts at which he is licensed to buy or in such storage facility as the Board may require;
(f)buy all seed cotton offered to him at the prices exhibited;
(g)keep all Grade A cotton separate from Grade B cotton; and
(h)ensure that all cotton purchased by him is correctly graded.
(2)No cotton buyer shall—
(a)buy seed cotton at a price less than the price exhibited;
(b)buy seed cotton without issuing produce receipts to the farmers in respect of all seed cotton purchased; and
(c)buy seed cotton otherwise other than by cash payment at the time and place of delivery.
(3)Any cotton buyer who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section commits an offence.

26. Inspection of premises and records

(1)An agricultural officer may—
(a)enter upon any premises used by cotton buyers for the purposes of inspecting the same, any seed cotton cotton inputs and scales thereon;[paragraph (a) amended by section 20(b) of Act 1 of 2025]
(b)inspect and make copies of entries in any books of account or other documents required to be kept under the provisions of this Act; and
(c)suspend the seed cotton buying operation by seizing the weighing scale and revoking the buying licence.
[subsection (1) amended by section 20(a) of Act 1 of 2025]
(2)Any person who obstructs an officer lawfully exercising his powers under this section or refuses such officer permission to exercise such power or fails to co-operate with such officer in the exercise by such officer of any such power, commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to pay a minimum fine of two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a minimum term of three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Part V – Ginning and baling (ss 27-35)

27. Registration of a ginnery

(1)No person shall erect and register or cause to be erected or registered a new cotton ginnery unless the following particulars have been submitted to and approved by the Board—
(a)the name and address of the proposed ginnery;
(b)the name and address of each director or partner and the shareholding of each shareholder;
(c)processing capacity of the ginnery;
(d)planned production of the ginnery;
(e)capacity number and area of warehouses;
(f)existing transport facilities;
(g)number and quality of skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled personnel employed or to be employed;
(h)financial creditworthiness from a reputed bank.
(2)A person granted with a registration certificate shall complete construction of the ginnery within two years from the date of the issuance of the certificate.
(3)The certificate of registration is not transferable.
(4)No person shall operate a ginnery unless it has been duly inspected and certified by the Board.
(5)The Board may in its discretion limit the number of ginneries which may be constructed or operated in an area.
(6)Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section or of any orders made under this section commits an offence.

28. Ginning licences

(1)No person shall gin seed-cotton or bale cotton lint unless he is a holder of a valid ginning licence issued by the Board and any ginning licence shall, unless revoked or suspended, remain in force until the thirty first day of March following the date of issue of such licence.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) commits an offence.

29. Conditions as to ginning licence

(1)A ginning licence shall entitle the holder to gin seed cotton and bale cotton lint upon the premises specified therein and in accordance with such conditions as to machinery, plant, storage accommodation and output.
(2)Any holder of a ginning licence who fails to comply with any order or condition lawfully made or imposed by the Board commits an offence.
(3)The Board may for good and sufficient reason refuse to issue a ginner's licence, and in that event shall communicate to the applicant the grounds for such refusal within fourteen days.

29A. Declaration of purchases and deliveries

(1)A cotton buyer shall declare to the Board correct figures of purchases and deliveries of cotton seed and cotton lint in a form prescribed in the regulations.
(2)A person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) commits an offence and on conviction shall—
(a)in case of a person at a buying post, be liable to a fine of not less than five million shillings but not exceeding fifty million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve months but not exceeding three years or to both; and
(b)in case of a ginner, be liable to a fine of not less than ten million shillings but not exceeding one hundred million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve months but not exceeding three years or to both.
[section 29A inserted by section 21 of Act 1 of 2025]

30. Movement of cotton

(1)No person shall move or cause to be moved any seed cotton from one region to another save in accordance with a permit in writing issued by the Board.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence.

31. Register of ginneries

The Board shall keep and maintain a register of all ginneries in respect of which licences have been issued.

32. Ginning licence not assignable

A ginning licence shall not be assignable or transferable.

33. Duties of holder of ginning licence

(1)It shall be a condition of every ginning licence that the holder shall—
(a)maintain and work the ginnery in a proper and workmanship manner and in such a way as not to cause deterioration or damage to the seed cotton, cotton lint, or cotton seed handled therein;
(b)ensure that all seed cotton delivered to the ginnery is correctly graded and shall keep all Grade A cotton and the lint therefrom and all Grade B cotton and the lint therefrom separate from one another and from any other seed cotton;
(c)keep all seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint which has been salvaged from damage by fire or water separate from all other seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint and shall gin the seed cotton and bale the cotton lint only in accordance with instructions from the Board;
(d)keep correct records of seed cotton deliveries, lint and seed production and make correct returns to the Board as may be prescribed.[paragraph (d) substituted by section 45 of Act 20 of 2009]
(e)keep all seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint in his possession or control properly stored in the ginnery buildings or stores;
(f)keep the ginnery and its precincts in a clean and sanitary condition;
(g)take all reasonable precautions for the prevention of fire as may be prescribed;
(h)if so required by the Board, gin before any other seed cotton in respect of seed of which the Board has given notice of its intention to exercise its powers under the provisions of section 11;
(i)produce cotton lint free from all seeds or parts of seeds or other substances whatsoever which ought to have been removed therefrom by the processes of ginning if the same had been carried out in a proper and workmanship manner;
(j)gin all seed cotton which may be delivered to him for ginning up to the capacity of the ginnery.
(2)Any holder of a ginning licence who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence.
(3)Where any ginnery or any machinery in any ginnery is being maintained or used in such a manner as to cause deterioration or other damage to any cotton handled in such ginnery, the Board may suspend the ginning licence relating to such ginnery until such time as it is satisfied that the cause of such deterioration or other damage has been removed.

34. Licences

Licences granted under this Act by the Board shall be—
(a)granted in the prescribed manner;
(b)valid for a specified period;
(c)subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed or endorsed therein;
(d)[paragraph (d) deleted by section 46 of Act 20 of 2009]

35. Cancellation or suspension of licences and appeal

(1)The Board may cancel or suspend a licence if the licensee fails to comply with terms and conditions of his licence or for good and sufficient cause such cancellation or suspension as the case may be is in addition to any penalty to which the licensee may be liable under this Act.
(2)Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board, may, within sixty days from the date of the decision, appeal in writing to the Minister.[subsection (2) substituted by section 47 of Act 20 of 2009]

Part VI – Purchase, sale and export of cotton lint and cotton seed (ss 36-38)

36. Export of cotton lint and cotton seeds

Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person may purchase—
(a)cotton lint and cotton seeds for export, or resale within the United Republic;
(b)seed cotton for resale within the United Republic.

37. Appointment of Cotton Inspectors

(1)There shall be established an office of Cotton Inspectors which shall be under the Board.
(2)The Board shall appoint fit and qualified persons to be Cotton Inspectors.
(3)The functions of agricultural officers shall be to—
(a)inspect seed cotton, cotton seed and other cotton by products;
(b)inspect cotton plants for disease and pests;
(c)train farmers on proper use of cotton inputs;
(d)take samples and verify the quality of seed cotton and cotton seed as provided for in this Act or as may be prescribed;
(e)monitor cotton cultivation activities in specified areas;
(f)ensure that the standard grade sample boxes approved by the Board are placed at all buying posts;
(g)monitor cotton production, processing and marketing;
(h)ensure that all seed cotton delivered at buying post and ginnery is correctly graded and free from any foreign matter contamination;
(i)collect and analyse data and provide reports on purchases, deliveries and ginning;
(j)participate in the promotion of good farming methods in order to increase production and productivity of cotton through farmers education;
(k)plan and make projection of cotton production estimates in the area of operation;
(l)carry out inspection of cotton buying posts and recommending the issuance of cotton buying licence;
(m)ensure that weighing scales are properly serviced, calibrated and authorised for use in accordance with the Weight and Measures Act;[Cap. 340]
(n)classify cotton samples manually and by using high volume instrument machine;
(o)class and assign grade of cotton lint and issue cotton quality certificate;
(p)class cotton in accordance with rules, regulations and international standards;
(q)prepare and issue periodic reports on classification from various ginneries; and
(r)prepare standard grade boxes.
[subsection (3) substituted by section 22(a) of Act 1 of 2025]
(4)In discharging the functions conferred to the Cotton Inspectors under subsection (3), the Cotton Inspectors shall have the power of—
(a)inspecting cotton seed, cotton ginneries and cotton stores;
(b)taking of samples and verifying weights and quality of seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint as provided for in this Act or as may be prescribed.
(c)classifying and assigning grade of cotton lint;[paragraph (c) added by section 22(b) of Act 1 of 2025]
(d)determining the size and weight of cotton lint sample for classing; and[paragraph (d) added by section 22(b) of Act 1 of 2025]
(e)stop, searching and detaining any vehicle or other conveyance which the agricultural officer has reason to believe is being or has been used for conveying any cotton in respect of which an offence is being or has been committed.[paragraph (e) added by section 22(b) of Act 1 of 2025]

38. Restriction on purchase and export of cotton

(1)No person shall in any manner whatsoever—
(a)export any cotton lint or cotton seed, other than a holder of a valid export permit issued by the Board under the provisions of this Act;
(b)exchange, barter, or enter into any agreement for exchange or barter of seed cotton or cotton lint; or
(c)purchase, sell, export or dispose of any seed cotton, cotton lint or cotton seed, unless he applies and obtains a licence from the Board in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(d)engage in sales contract involving cotton lint or cotton seeds without filing the particulars of sale contract with the Board within seven days after the date of the conclusion of the contract;[paragraph (d) added by section 49 of Act 20 of 2009]
(e)engage in sales for local consumption and export unless he is able to make returns, in a prescribed manner, of all sales made for local consumption and export on a weekly basis; and[paragraph (e) added by section 49 of Act 20 of 2009]
(f)deal with textile mills unless he is able to make returns to the Board of all the cotton lint purchased from the ginners in a prescribed form.[paragraph (f) added by section 49 of Act 20 of 2009]
(2)Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section or contravenes any of the terms and conditions of a licence granted under this Act, commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to pay a fine of ten million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of five years.

38A. Restrictions on movement and storage of lint bales

(1)A person shall not—
(a)move lint bales from the ginnery without release order issued by the Board;
(b)release unmarked lint bales or bales with duplicated lot numbers; or
(c)store lint bales in the ginnery or remove lint bales from the ginnery without ensuring that the bales are protected from adverse weather conditions.
(2)A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than five million shillings but not exceeding fifty million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve months but not exceeding three years or to both.
[section 38A added by section 23 of Act 1 of 2025]

38B. Submission of sample for classification

(1)A ginner shall submit to the Board cotton lint samples for classification.
(2)The samples submitted to the Board shall remain the property of the Board.
(3)A person who contravenes this section commits an offence.
[section 38B added by section 23 of Act 1 of 2025]

Part VII – Administration and financial provisions (ss 39-54)

39. Appointment of Chief Executive and other staff

(1)The Board shall, upon approval of the Minister, appoint a Director General, who shall be the Chief Executive of the Board and the Secretary to the Board of Directors.
(2)The Board may appoint at such salaries and upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit, such officers and employees as it may deem necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of the business and activities of the Board.
(3)Subject to subsection (2), the provisions of the services of all officers or employees of the Cotton Lint and Seed Board immediately proceeding the effective date shall be terminated and every such officers or employees shall be entitled to terminal benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract of employment with the former Board.
(4)The Board may re-employ some officers or employees of the Cotton Lint and Seed Board whose services are required by the Board upon such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.
[section 39 amended by section 50 of Act 20 of 2009]

40. Board to grant gratuities, etc., employees

The Board may grant gratuities and other retirement benefit and allowances to officers and employees of the Board as the Board may determine.

41. Seal of the Board

(1)There shall be a Common Seal of the Board which shall be of such shape, size and form as the Board may determine.
(2)All deeds, contracts or agreements, to which the seal is affixed shall be authenticated either by the Chief Executive or his representative and one Board member or by any two Board members.

42. Appointment of agents and contractors

(1)The Board may, appoint and employ upon such terms and conditions such agents and contractors as it may deem necessary for the better carrying out the functions of this Act.
(2)The Board shall not delegate the power to delegate or to approve the annual budget of the Board.

43. Funds and resources of the Board

The funds and resources of the Board shall consist of—
(a)such sums of money as may be provided by the Parliament;
(b)any monies raised by way of loans, donations or grants made within and outside the United Republic of Tanzania;
(c)any loan or subsidy granted to the Board by the Government or any other person;[previous paragraph (c) repealed by section 51(a) and previous paragraph (d) renumbered to paragraph (c) by section 51(b) of Act 20 of 2009]
(d)such sums of money or property which may become payable to or vested in the Board under this Act or any other written law or in respect of any matter incidental to the carrying out of its functions.[paragraph (d), previously paragraph (e), renumbered by section 51(b) of Act 20 of 2009]

44. Annual budget of the Board

Before the commencement of a financial year, the Board of Directors shall consider and endorse a detailed budget of moneys expected to be received and disbursed by the Board during the coming financial year.

45. Liability of members, etc.

No matter or thing done or omitted to be done by any member, officer, servant or agent of the Board shall, if the matter or thing is done or omitted to be done in good faith for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act or of any order or regulations made thereunder, render any person as aforesaid to any action, liability, claim or demand whatsoever.

46. Stakeholders meeting

(1)For the purposes of promoting the development of the cotton industry, there shall be a stakeholder's forum which shall be responsible for—
(a)putting in place mechanisms for the management and funding of the shared functions;
(b)making procedures for conducting the annual general meetings;
(c)determining modalities for financing its activities and meetings; and
(d)establishing stakeholders' secretariat and other organs for better carrying out the shared functions.
(2)The stakeholders shall hold the meeting once in a year to agree on the funding, implementation of the shared functions and other matters of common interest.
[section 46 substituted by section 52 of Act 20 of 2009]

47. Powers to make by-laws

The local government authority may in consultation with the Minister, make by-laws for better carrying out of the shared functions as agreed upon by the cotton stakeholders.[section 47 substituted by section 53 of Act 20 of 2009]

48. Financing of shared functions

For the purpose of financing shared functions, stakeholders may put in place a mechanism for the management and mode of contribution.[section 48 substituted by section 53 of Act 20 of 2009]

49. Books of accounts and audit

(1)The Board shall cause to be kept and maintained proper books of accounts in respect to:
(a)the income and expenditure statement of the Board; and
(b)all assets and liabilities of the Board.
[subsection (1) substituted by section 54(a) of Act 20 of 2009]
(2)The books of accounts of the Board shall be audited at the end of each financial year by the Controller and Auditor General.[subsection (2) substituted by section 54(a) of Act 20 of 2009]
(3)The Report of the Controller and Auditor General under the provisions of subsection (2) shall state—
(a)whether he has obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of his knowledge and belief were necessary for the purpose of his audit;
(b)whether, in his opinion, proper books of accounts have been kept by the Board as it appears from his examination of those books;
(c)whether in his opinion and to the best of his information and according to the explanations given to him, the income and expenditure account gives a true and fair view of the income and a view of the state of affairs of the Board and Fund at the end of the financial year.
[subsection (3) amended by section 54(b) of Act 20 of 2009]
(4)The Board shall not later than six months after the end of financial year, submit to the Minister a copy of the audited statement of accounts and annual report on the activities of the Board in respect of that year.[subsection (4) amended by section 54(c) of Act 20 of 2009]

50. Minister to submit accounts to National Assembly

The Minister shall within a period of six months or such longer period as the National Assembly may by resolution appoint after the accounts have been audited, lay the copy of audited accounts and audit report before the National Assembly.

51. Establishment of the Cotton Appeals Board

(1)There is hereby established a Cotton Appeals Board which shall be responsible for determination of disputes arising in the cotton sector as a result of the decisions of the Board.
(2)The Cotton Appeals Board shall consist of—
(a)a Chairman to be appointed by the Minister from three names proposed by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture;
(b)a member nominated by the Tanzania Cotton Association; and
(c)a member from the Ministry responsible for legal affairs;
(3)Members of the Cotton Appeals Board referred to in subsection (2), shall each be appointed by the Minister, and hold office for a period not exceeding three years and be eligible for re-appointment for another term of three years.
(4)The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, make regulations setting out powers and procedure for the institution, hearing and determination of appeals before the Cotton Appeals Board.
(5)Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board made pursuant to the provisions of this Act, may appeal to the Cotton Appeals Board within thirty days from the date of the decision.
(6)Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Cotton Appeals Board may refer his grievances to the Minister.

52. Rules and regulations

(1)The Minister may make rules and regulations—
(a)governing the cultivation, baling, marketing, transportation, warehousing, ginning, importation and exportation of cotton;
(b)prescribing the forms and particulars to be included in any return, information or statistics to be submitted by cotton growers, buyers, ginnery operators, exporters and importers under the provisions of this Act;
(c)providing for the grading or classification and definitions of grades, fixed in respect of cotton whether locally manufactured or imported;
(d)providing for the inspection of all cotton whether locally grown, or ginned or imported and for the appointment of inspectors and prescribing their duties;
(e)providing for the procedures for grading, sampling, inspection; weighing and determination of quality of cotton;
(f)providing for records or information to be kept and returns to be made by the cotton growers, buyers, ginnery operators, exporters and importers of cotton;
(g)the prohibiting or control of the import or export of cotton seed;
(h)prescribing the variety and quality of cotton seed to be used for sowing in any specified area or region;
(i)prescribing the method of bagging, transporting, delivering, storing and supplying to growers of cotton seed which has been reserved under the provisions of section 11;
(j)the regulating and control of the lay-out, erection and use of cotton buying posts and their inspection and management;
(k)providing for the control of the erection of ginneries and the conditions upon which they may be erected, maintained and operated;
(l)prescribing the conditions upon which ginning licences may be issued;
(m)the regulating the purchase and sale of seed cotton;
(n)prescribing the prevention of the outbreak of fire at cotton buying posts or other premises used for cotton buying;
(o)describing the procedure on appeals of aggrieved parties;
(p)the determining of the rate of levy to be imposed on cotton;
(q)prescribing anything which is to be or may be prescribed and generally for better carrying out of the provisions or purpose of this Act.
(2)Regulations made under this section may be applicable to the whole of Mainland Tanzania or to any specified part thereof.
(3)No regulation made or purported to have been made under this section shall be invalid or unenforceable by reason only of the fact that the matter provided for or intended to be provided for by such regulation can only be provided for by regulations made under the provisions of this Act, and every such regulation shall be deemed to have been lawfully made under this section and shall take effect accordingly.
(4)Where the matter prescribed or provided for by any such previous regulation has already been prescribed or provided for by regulations made under the provisions of this Act, then, to the extent of any inconsistency between such previous regulations and the current regulations, the provisions of the current regulations shall prevail.

53. General penalty

Any person who commits any offence against the provisions of this Act shall be liable on conviction for every such offence except where in any other section a special penalty is provided to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or to both.

54. Board to make regulations

The Board may, with the approval of the Minister make regulations for the better carrying out of its functions and powers under this Act, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may make regulations—
(a)prescribing the fees to be paid for anything to be done under this Act;
(b)regulating the applications for, and the issue of, any licence or permit authorised to be issued under this Act;
(c)prescribing the manner in which seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint shall be stored, providing for the storage of different types of seed cotton and cotton seed separately and prescribing the specification in conformity with which cotton stores shall be built and maintained;
(d)prescribing or prohibiting methods of packing seed cotton and prescribing the maximum weight which may be packed in any one bag;
(e)prescribing or prohibiting the types of containers used in transporting seed cotton;
(f)regulating the weighing of seed cotton;
(g)regulating the ginning of seed cotton;
(h)regulating the purchase, receipt, storage, sale, disposal and export of cotton lint and cotton seed;
(i)regulating and prescribing powers, duties, functions, responsibilities and remuneration of officers, employees and agents of the Board and of inspectors;
(j)prescribing the fee for any service to be rendered by the Board to ginners, growers and other persons;
(k)regulating the submission of returns by ginners, growers, agents and other persons engaged in the cotton industry.

Part VIII – Repeal and consequential provisions (ss 55-57)

55. Repeal of Act No. 19 of 1984

[Repeals the Tanzania Cotton Lint and Seed Board Act, subject to the provisions of this Part.]

56. Savings provisions

Notwithstanding the repeal of the Tanzania Cotton Lint and Seed Board Act4—4Act No. 19 of 1984
(a)all rules, directions and orders issued, made or given under the repealed enactment shall be deemed to be regulations, by-laws, directions and orders issued, given or made under this Act, and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act relating to penalty for any contravention, remain in force and apply, mutatis mutandis, until revoked by regulations, by-laws, orders or directions issued, given or made under this Act provided that this paragraph shall not apply to any rule, direction or order which is inconsistent with any provision of this Act;
(b)all permits, licences, certificates, authorities and appointments issued, granted or made under any provision of any of the repealed enactment shall remain valid and continue in effect as a permit, licence, certificate, authority or appointment issued, granted or made under the corresponding provision of this Act, provided that any such permit, licence, certificate, authority or appointment may at any time be revoked by the Board having power under this Act, to issue, grant or make the same.

57. Minister may make further consequential provisions

The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, at any time before the expiry of twelve months from the effective date, make such further consequential, transitional and supplementary provisions as he may consider necessary consequent upon the repeal of the repealed enactment.

Schedule (Section 3(2))

Consatitution, functions and proceedings of the Board of Directors

1.Constitution of the Board of Directors
(1)The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chairman who shall be appointed by the President and six other members to be appointed by the Minister as follows—
(a)one member representing the local government authorities;
(b)one member representing the Tanzania Cotton Association;
(c)one member representing the Cotton Growers Association;
(d)one member representing the textiles industry;
(e)two members who have knowledge and experience in the matter relating to cotton industry; and
(f)two members representing cotton growers co-operative societies.
[subparagraph (1) substituted by section 55 of Act 20 of 2009]
(2)The Minister shall, in appointing members under subparagraph (1) ensure that the appointment is made from three names of candidates recommended by the relevant association or sector.[subparagraph (2) substituted by section 55 of Act 20 of 2009]
2.Vice-ChairmanThe members of the Board of Directors shall, from among their number elect a Vice-Chairman and any member elected a Vice-Chairman shall, subject to his continuing to be a member, hold office for a term of one year from the date of his election, and shall be eligible for re-election.
3.Tenure of office
(1)A member of the Board of Directors shall hold office for a period of three years from the date of appointment and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(2)In the case of a Board member, who is a member by virtue of his holding some office he shall cease to be a member upon his ceasing to hold that office.
(3)Any member of the Board may at any time resign from the Board by giving notice in writing to the Minister and from the date specified in the notice or, if no date is so specified, from the date of receipt of the notice by the Minister, he shall cease to be a member.
(4)where a person ceases to be a Board member for any reason before the expiration of his term of office, the Minister shall appoint another person in his place and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of his predecessor.
4.Disqualification of a Board memberNo person who has been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt and has not been discharged or within the period of five years proceeding his appointment, has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding six months without the option of a fine and has not received a free pardon, shall be appointed a Board member.
5.Meetings of the Board
(1)The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times a year and at such other times as may be necessary or expedient for the transactions of business.
(2)An ordinary meeting of the Board of Directors shall be convened by the Chairman and the notice specifying the place, date and time of the meeting shall be sent to each member at his usual place of business or residence not less than fourteen days before the date of such meeting.
(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), where the Chairman is unable to act by reason of illness, absence from Tanzania, or other sufficient cause, the Vice-Chairman may convene such meeting.
(4)The Chairman shall be bound to convene a special meeting of the Board of Directors upon receipt of a request in writing in that behalf signed by not less than three members of the Board. Not less than fourteen days notice of such meeting shall be given to all members of the Board in the manner prescribed in subparagraph (2).
(5)The Board may co-opt any person to attend any deliberations of the meeting as an expert but that co-opted person shall not be allowed to vote.
6.Quorum
(1)Three of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and all acts, matters and things to be done by the Board shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present.
(2)Each member of the Board shall have one vote and in the event of equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to his normal vote.
7.Alternate memberIf a Board member is unable for any reason to attend the meeting of the Board or the Committee of the Board as the case may be where it is not possible for the Appointing Authority to appoint another member, he may, in writing nominate another person in his place for the purpose of that meeting.
8.Defects in appointment not to invalidate proceedingsSubject to the provisions of paragraph 6 relating to quorum, the Board of Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the members thereof and no act or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid by reason only of some defect in the appointment of a person who purports to be a member thereof.
9.Conflict of interestA Director who is in any way directly or indirectly personally interested in a contract or proposed contract or any matter being deliberated by the Board shall declare the nature of his interest to fellow Directors and shall abstain in the deliberations in respect thereof.
10.MinutesMinutes in proper form of each meeting of the Board shall be kept and shall be confirmed by the Board at its next meeting and signed by the Chairman of the meeting.
11.Circular resolutionA circular resolution in writing signed by all the Directors for the time being in Tanzania shall be as effectual as a decision made at a meeting provided that a member may require that notwithstanding the Directors' signatures the matter be brought at the following Board meeting.
12.Board members to be paid allowancesThe Chairman and other members of the Board shall be entitled to such allowances and at such rates as the Minister may from time to time approve.
13.Power to regulate its proceduresSubject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall have power to regulate its own procedures in respect of meetings and the proper conduct of its business.
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History of this document

14 March 2025 this version
31 December 2023
Chapter 201

Revised Laws 2023

Consolidation
25 December 2009
Read this version
01 July 2004
31 July 2002
Chapter 201

Revised Laws 2002

Consolidation
Read this version

Cited documents 5

Act
5

Documents citing this one 5

Gazette
3
Judgment
2
Mwatex (2001) Ltd vs Charles Guke (Misc. Civil Application 192 of 2018) [2020] TZHC 2509 (24 August 2020)
Court granted leave to appeal where the applicant demonstrated triable issues and need for appellate guidance under s.5 AJA.
* Appellate procedure – leave to appeal under s.5(1)(c) Appellate Jurisdiction Act – threshold: reasonable prospects of success or disturbing features requiring Court of Appeal guidance. * Civil procedure – service by publication and ex parte hearing. * Revision – whether orders of supervision and revision were properly invoked. * Contract/settlement – effect of issues not featuring in consent judgment or deed of settlement. * Statutory interpretation – applicability/reliance on s.20(2) Cotton Industry Act 2001.
Sangijo Rice Millers Company Limited v S.M. Holdings Limited (Commercial Case No. 45 of 2004) [2005] TZHC 1100 (9 November 2005)

Contract - Contract of sale of goods - Whether and under what circumstances a mere purchase order may amount to an agreement to sell. Contract - Contract of sale of goods — Delivery - Mode of delivery - Agreement is silent on mode of delivery - Delivery in one lot presumed. Contract - Contract of sale of goods - A term of the contract stipulates that presentment of documents be taken as delivery - Buyer fails to attach documents - Seller is taken to have failed to deliver the goods. Contract - Contract of sale of goods - Rules governing delivery of goods - Whether Buyer is bound to accept delivery in instalments. Contract - Contract of sale of goods - Expiry of contract by effluxion of time - Liability of parties after such expiry of time. C Sale of goods - Contract of sale of goods - Whether and under what circumstances a mere purchase order may amount to an agreement to sell. Sale of goods - Contract of sale of goods - Delivery - Mode of delivery - Agreement is silent on mode of delivery - Delivery in one lot is presumed. D Sale of Goods - Contract of Sale of Goods - A term of contract stipulates that presentment of documents be taken as delivery - Buyer fails to attach documents - Buyer taken to have failed to deliver the goods. Sale of Goods - Contract of Sale of Goods - Rules governing delivery of goods. - Whether the seller is bound to accept delivery in instalments. ; Sale of goods - Contract sale of goods - Expiry of contract by effluxion of time - Liability of parties after such expiry of time. Held: (i) The purchase order, together with the conduct of the parties, constituted an agreement to sell. (ii) Where an agreement is silent on the mode ofdelivery, the presumption is that it is intended to be delivered in one lot, unless, by conduct the buyer accepts delivery, , B by instalments; (iii) By selling 500 bales out ofthe 2000 bales contracted before the expiry ofthe contract period the seller had prematurely breached the contract; full delivery ofthe 2000 bales within July/August 2004 was the essence ofthe contract and that term was breached by the seller; (iv) The buyer was at liberty to rescind the contract