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Lesego Valela-Herald Reporter
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has paid US$2 million and $500 million to farmers for the grain delivered since the beginning of the 2022 marketing season.
Farmers have so far delivered 28 430 tonnes of grain to the GMB depots.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa encouraged the farmers to desist from the side-marketing of their grain and also to deliver the grain early so that they take advantage of the incentive for early deliveries granted by Government.
“In the meantime, the importation of mealie-meal will continue in order to ensure that consumers are cushioned from any market distortions which may occur. So far 392 tonnes have been confiscated by GMB for side marketing in terms of Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019,” the Minister said.
The grain intake started in June and is expected to peak around July to September.
Most farmers are still harvesting while some from the commercial sector are yet to start harvesting as they wait for the grain to attain the required moisture content.
The GMB accepts maize with a moisture level of 12, 5 percent.
Zimbabwe Women Farmers Association Trust president, Dephinah Nkomo, said most farmers have been selling their grains to GMB.
“We are grateful to the Government for responding to our concerns and increasing the producer prices. As farmers sell their produce, they also buy inputs for the next season. The earlier we get the money, the earlier we can start farming again,’’ she said.
GMB is offering $75 000 per tonne and also US$90 to those who manage to deliver the grains earlier.
Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president Mr Edward Dune said most farmers were still in the process of harvesting and he encouraged Government to review producer prices constantly in line with inflation.
“The fact that GMB used to pay 100 percent RTGS and now it is paying US$90 per tonne is a positive move. However, if they offer more than the private buyers then they are assured of 100 percent supply from us as farmers,” said Mr Dune.
Goromonzi farmer, Mr Boniface Chitate, said it was good that farmers sell their grain to the GMB not only to have a good track record, but also to contribute towards feeding the nation.
“As farmers we appreciate the current producer price the GMB is giving us but that amount is not enough for us to buy more inputs for the next season seeing that one bag of fertiliser now costs between US$45 and US$60,” said Mr Chitate.
According to the Second Crop and Livestock Assessment report, the country is expected to harvest 1 557 914 tonnes of maize and 194 100 tonnes of traditional grains for the 2021/22 summer cropping season.
Online Reporter