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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter—
LOCAL farmers have so far delivered about 35,000 tonnes of maize to Grain Marketing Board depots across the country despite the prevailing drought. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Joseph Made, said the government had not expected much produce due to the drought, but local farmers had managed to deliver.
The Minister told Parliament on Wednesday that the government and the private sector would continue to import grain to augment local supplies, particularly for the rural areas.
Cabinet has already assured farmers who deliver their grain this season that they will be paid a producer price of US$390 per tonne on delivery. “As we’re talking, where we had not expected any grain at all due to the drought, farmers have already delivered, updating the figure that I reported on in the media. We are now close to 35,000 metric tonnes,” said Minister Made.
“So I want to assure the House that so far our programme is moving well. In terms of delivering the food to the rural areas, there are some areas where we continue to have challenges in transportation but that matter is being addressed.”
Minister Made was responding to Budiriro MP Costa Machingauta who had suggested that food aid was being given on partisan lines. “There’s nothing that is being taken to the rural areas, especially concerning food or farming implements that require one to disclose his or her party. There is no such arrangement that I’m aware of that requires that,” said Minister Made.
“If the honourable member has evidence of such things happening, he should bring it forward so that we address the issue. On the issue of food, His Excellency the President said that no one should be denied food”.
derick.khumalo