admin
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture Reporter
The Grain Marketing Board received more than 130 000 tonnes of grain from farmers in the first eight weeks of the marketing season.
Farmers have been urged to dry their crop properly as the recent rainy spell will have increased the moisture content of the crops and the maximum permitted moisture content for a GMB delivery is of 12,5 percent.
GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha said by Friday last week, farmers had delivered 125 300 tonnes of maize to the depots compared to just 37 000 tonnes delivered by farmers during the same period last year.
Farmers have also delivered 10 158 tonnes of traditional grains, up from the 623 tonnes received same period last year and 8 185 tonnes of soyabeans, compared to 852 tonnes last year.
“Payments are being done within prescribed time. We urge farmers to dry their crop before delivering.
“We are receiving an average of more 5 000 tonnes per day and every day the graph is going up. GMB had expected to receive 54 000 tonnes of maize by end of May, but deliveries surpassed the target.
“We are excited about the deliveries and support from the farmers. We urge farmers to ensure correct level of moisture content before delivery. As GMB we remain committed and loyal to the farmers,” he said.
Side marketing of maize and soyabeans is banned meaning that farmers who benefited from Pfumvudza/Intwasa may not sell grain to private buyers, but must deliver their crop to the GMB depots.
Online Reporter