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Business Reporter
STAKEHOLDERS in the agricultural industry will hold an indaba on food security and state of grain in the country. The indaba, which will be held in Harare on Friday, is being hosted by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe. The meeting will draw delegates from Government, millers, farmers, financiers, manufacturers and development partners including the World Bank.
GMAZ president Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the indaba will highlight the food security situation in the country and challenges that millers are facing.
“We want to bring back grain farmers who migrated to tobacco farming,” said Mr Musarara.
Issues to be discussed include harnessing grain locally and cheap imports of finished products which is rendering local farmers uncompetitive.
Zimbabwe currently imports grain from Zambia and South Africa and local millers want the Government to halt more imports.
The millers say Zimbabwe could be the biggest target market for regional maize producers with South Africa holding an excess of 2 million tonnes, Zambia 1,2 million and Malawi about 800 000 tonnes of maize.
The millers say Government should allow for millers to mop up maize from farmers.
Maize meal producers want Government to address imports of cheap mealie meal from South Africa especially saying that the conditions where the maize meal is produced have not been assessed.
Mr Musarara said last week the GMAZ will raise the issues with Government.
Other issues up for discussion include financing of grain farming focusing mainly on contract farming and pricing of grain commodities.
Online Reporter