adminOliver Kazunga Senior Reporter
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will pay farmers the outstanding $14 million by November to ensure adequate preparations for the next cropping season.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for crop production Cde Davis Marapira yesterday said modalities were being worked out to ensure that farmers were paid for their 2014/15 season maize crop.
“We want to pay the farmers what they’re owed for grain delivered to GMB by November so that they are able to prepare for the next farming season,” said Marapira.
GMB has so far paid about $90 million to farmers leaving a balance of $14 million.
In recent years, farmers have complained of late payment by GMB.
Zimbabwe requires about two million tonnes of maize annually for both livestock and human consumption.
The Zimbabwe Farmers Union’s economist Prince Kuipa said the commitment to pay farmers before the onset of the rains was a positive development.
“The farmers will use the money to buy the required inputs as well as prepare the land for planting,” he said.
Many farmers have stopped selling to GMB because of the late payments.
Online Reporter