Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera, Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has started working on Presidential Input Scheme (PIS) distribution modalities to ensure timely disbursements to intended beneficiaries while farmers have intensified harvesting of summer crops as preparations for the 2026 winter cropping season have intensified.
The parastatal has received wheat seed, basal and top-dressing fertilisers and chemicals in preparation for the season.
Farmers have also accelerated harvesting early planted summer crops while others have begun land preparations.
The Government is targeting 951 350 tonnes of food crops from the winter cropping season to ensure food self-sufficiency, cognisant of world-wide supply disruption due to geo-political developments in Eastern Europe and Middle East.
Cabinet approved the 2026 Winter Production Plan for the country to produce 662 000 tonnes of wheat, which surpasses the national annual requirement of 360 000 tonnes.
Barley production is projected to rise to 45 500 tonnes, while Irish potato out is forecast to reach 243 850 tonnes.
A comprehensive whole-of-Government and sector approach will be employed to achieve the set targets.
GMB chief executive, Dr Edison Badarai said preparations were underway to deliver inputs to farmers.
“We have received inputs and distribution modalities are being finalised, with beneficiary lists undergoing authentication to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
Dr Badarai said GMB’s logistics framework had been mobilised, leveraging the Government-donated 40-tonne trucks and partnerships with trusted third-party transporters.
“This will enable efficient delivery of complete input packages to farmers, supporting winter wheat production and national food security objectives.
“The process is designed to be seamless, with a focus on reaching deserving beneficiaries promptly, reinforcing GMB’s commitment to facilitating agricultural growth,” he highlighted.
Some of the summer crop, especially maize, is not yet ready for harvesting. GMB’s innovative smart silos will assist farmers with grain dryers to ensure early harvesting and clearing of fields for winter planting.
Dr Badarai said GMB’s state-of-the-art dryers at Kwekwe and Mutare smart silos, each with a 100 tonne per hour capacity, will enable farmers to quickly dry their maize and transition to winter wheat production within the optimal window period.
GMB also has mobile dryers in areas of high winter wheat farmer concentration to assist with drying.
“This timely intervention addresses a major bottleneck in the agricultural value chain, allowing farmers to capitalise on favourable market conditions and Government incentives for winter wheat production.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) —driven silos’ advanced technology ensures efficient drying, reducing moisture content to optimal levels thereby minimising post-harvest losses.
With 12 more smart silos in the pipeline, GMB is poised to support large-scale and small holder farmers alike, driving agricultural growth and food security.
The swift transition to winter production helps farmers to plant early within the optimum planting window for higher yields. Late planted wheat is usually affected by early rains.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust president, Mrs Depinah Nkomo, said the harvesting of early planted summer crops was underway.
“Farmers have started harvesting but in some areas the maize is not ready as it still has high moisture content. It is risky to harvest a maize crop with a high moisture content as it may develop moulds and lose its quality. Some farmers have started land preparations ahead of planting wheat,” she said.
Zimbabwe National Farmers union president, Mrs Monica Chinamasa said preparations were underway and urged Treasury to avail funds for grain procurement early to the GMB.
“If farmers are paid early, this will also boost their winter wheat preparations and translate to better yields,” she said.
GMB has a network of 89 depots and 1 804 collection points strategically located at ward levels, making it easier for farmers to deliver their grain.
derick.khumalo