adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has started paying farmers in Matabeleland South part of the money it owes them for maize deliveries in the 2013/14 marketing season. The troubled parastatal has been struggling to clear its arrears, which economists blame for frustrating food production by farmers. GMB had failed to pay about $49 million to farmers until recently when Treasury released a tranche of $27 million in June and $15 million early this month to clear the debt. Scores of farmers this week thronged GMB depots in Gwanda, Plumtree and Esigodini where they received part of their payments.
In Gwanda some of the farmers left the depot as late as 9PM despite having arrived in the morning.
Those interviewed said they were happy that they have finally started getting their money.
The, however, expressed disappointment that GMB only gave them half the amount owed.
Others said they expected the parastatal to deposit their money in banks.
Some said they would use the money to procure inputs for the imminent summer cropping season.
“I delivered four tonnes of maize and today got a payment of only $745. They now owe me $860. We hope very soon we’ll be paid outstanding amounts,” said Elfina Chinungwa, a farmer from Dwala area.
She said with the little she got, she was going to pay school fees for her two secondary school going children in the third term.
“I will also buy seed maize in preparation for the 2015/16 farming season,” said Chinungwa.
Another farmer Bhekisisa Siziba said he had delivered a tonne of maize and got $230 instead of $390.
“This was well timed because we’re getting closer to start the next farming season. The money will help farmers cover for the lost preparation time in the 2014/15 farming season. This came as a surprise to most farmers and we really appreciate what the government has done,” he said.
Some farmers said they had delivered up to seven tonnes and hoped payments would boost their operations.
While the 2014/15 farming season did not yield positive results for most farmers due to low rainfall, farmers said they hoped for a better next season.
“Despite the late payments, we’ll again deliver our maize to GMB because we’ve no alternative place to sell to,” said another farmer.
GMB officials in the province declined to comment.
Online Reporter