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terms of grain deliveries after harvesting,” he said.
The grain marketing season starts on April 1 and Minister Made encouraged all farmers to deliver their grain to GMB.
“There are indicators that our neighbouring countries are likely to have grain shortages. We are calling farmers to put in returns and show how much in terms of grain they are likely to deliver to the GMB,” he said.
The final crop assessment results have indicated that southern provinces were the most affected.
The crop assessment report shows that 1 689 609 hectares of maize were planted this season, compared to 2 096 034 ha during the 2010/11 season.
Communal farmers have the highest contribution to the total area put under maize.
GMB’s marketing season starts on April 1. In December last year, the Government reintroduced the grain loan scheme in which communal farmers get grain from GMB and repay after harvest.
The scheme is expected to benefit 600 000 households in grain-deficit areas.
This came after Cabinet realised that the weather across the country indicated that some households will not be able to harvest enough grain.
To mitigate the effects of poor rainfall patterns, Government has of late been encouraging farmers to grow such drought-resistant crops as sorghum and millet.
Government has also resumed the public works programme, commonly known as food for work to assist vulnerable groups facing food shortages.
Online Reporter