Story by Peter Chivhima
THE clearance of outstanding payments for delivered grain by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has been described as key towards ensuring more deliveries from farmers with excess grain this season.
In the wake of an El Nino induced drought, not much grain deliveries are expected.
However, an announcement by the GMB on Friday on payments, has been welcomed as a key development towards motivating farmers with excess grain to deliver to the national granary.
It has also been described as important in ensuring that farmers prepare for the winter wheat and the 2024/25 summer cropping season.
“We want to thank the GMB for paying our farmers on time. This will allow our farmers to prepare for the next season on time. The development will also motivate our farmers in the next farming season,” said ARDA board chairperson, Mr Ivan Craig.
Government recently increased the producer price for maize to US$390 per tonne and assured farmers of timeous payments for their deliveries.
“In terms of those farmers who are holding grains we are saying come to the GMB we have upped our game and in terms of maize we have since increased our price. We also continue to make modalities so that we pay our farmers on time,” said GMB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Edson Badarai.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the 2023/24 summer cropping season a state of disaster and government is encouraging farmers with excess grain to deliver it to the GMB to ensure its use in feeding the nation.
