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THE Grain Marketing Board now owed wheat and maize farmers $3,2 million after paying part of the debt owed to them, general manager Mr Albert Mandizha has said.
Government recently released $9 million to offset part of the debt owed by the GMB to farmers.
Mr Mandizha told New Ziana that before partly retiring the debt, the organisation owed farmers $11,7 million.
“Government has availed $9,2 million towards clearing farmers’ debts. We have paid farmers and we are now owing them a total of $3,7 million both wheat and maize,” he said.
Mr Mandizha said of the outstanding balance, $2,5 million was owed to maize farmers while $1,2 million was owed to wheat farmers.
He lauded the new Zanu-PF government for promoting agriculture.
“I am quite impressed and pleased for the farmers that have been paid, it will enable them to prepare for the next season. This is quite commendable.”
Government has been criticised by farmers in recent years over its failure to timeously pay farmers on time for their produce.
GMB’s grain procurement scheme is wholly funded by Government to boost the Strategic Grain Reserves. – New Ziana
Online Reporter