Cashew nut traders in Tanzania have until 16:00 (13:00 GMT) today to start buying the cash crop at prices set by the government or it will deploy the army to purchase the crop for the state.

On Saturday, President John Magufuli accused private traders of attempting to rip off thousands of farmers and ordered them to increase their price offers to around $1.3 (£1; €1.15) per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Farmers have for weeks been refusing to sell their harvests, arguing that the private traders' offers are too low.

Mr Magufuli sacked both the agriculture and trade ministers over their handling of the row.

He said he is working to ensure thousands of farmers get a fair price for their cashew nuts and also so that the country does not miss out on vital export earnings.

Cashew nut exports are a major foreign-currency earner for Tanzania.