GMB to raise funds to pay farmers

Development Minister Joseph Made said the companies had been importing grain and the arrangement would see them purchasing grain from GMB at US$275 per tonne, down from the fixed producer price of US$285 per tonne.
“We owe various institutions such as fertiliser manufacturing companies, Zesa Holdings and farmers huge amounts of money which they need to continue with production,” he said.
Dr Made said the deal was reached in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, which would be administering the funds.
“The Finance Ministry is going to set up regulations and provisions for the upkeep of the money,” he said.
He said the issue of strategic grain reserves was a mandate for the Government hence it was its duty to ensure farmers were paid their money upon delivery.
“Some farmers have already started delivering their grain to GMB thus as Government we feel it is our responsibility to ensure that the funds were available,” he said.
The GMB is one of 10 parastatals that the Government has earmarked for commercialisation and privatisation to restore viability.
The parastatal has over the years battled to pay farmers on time for grain deliveries.—New Ziana.