GMB makes substantial payments to farmers

THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has made substantial payments to farmers totalling $157 billion and US$27,2 million for both summer and crop intake and the winter wheat deliveries.

The parastatal indicated that the Treasury is accelerating mobilisation of financial resources to clear outstanding debts.

In the past, farmers shunned the GMB and sold their crops to private buyers because of in-ordinate payment delays of up to six months.

But the Government, which is keen to mop up all grain – particularly the staple maize crop – to help reduce costly drought-induced imports, has adequately funded the GMB to pay farmers promptly

In a statement, GMB chief executive officer, Dr Edson Badarai said farmers play a strategic role in supporting President Mnangagwa’s vision on agricultural transformation, food self-sufficiency and food security.

Grain Marketing Board (GMB)

“To date, payments amounting to $157 billion and US$27,2 million have been made. This is for both summer and crop intake and the winter wheat deliveries,” said Dr Badarai.

He said the Treasury is accelerating mobilisation of financial resources to clear outstanding debts of $12,3 million and US$39 million.

GMB is on record saying it is illegal for middlemen to buy grain from farmers and deliver to the GMB depots as only the parastatal and contractors were allowed to do so.

Some middlemen are in the habit of approaching farming areas and buying grain from farmers at low prices and later sell to the GMB where prices are lucrative.

During his post-Cabinet media briefing last week, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the country produced 2,57 million metric tonnes of maize and traditional grains during the 2022/2023 season amid assurances that there will be enough grain before the commencement of the next maize and traditional grains intake in April.

This translates to 6 027 metric tonnes daily, with 4 931 metric tonnes going towards human consumption. The monthly human consumption requirement is 150 000 metric tonnes.

Regarding the summer crops marketing update, the minister said total marketed crops were 526 082 metric tonnes for the 2022/2023 summer crops, out of which the GMB purchased 210 579 metric tonnes.

The GMB intake constituted 39 percent market share for all the marketed crops.

The Government has strengthened grain support modality measures to ensure that all households are food secure until the next harvest.

The measures include procurement of grain from districts with excess production and distributing it to districts with a shortage and implementation of the Government-promoted conservation farming practices (Pfumvudza/Intwasa).

The Government is committed to ensuring that the nation sustains the national food security status because of its progressive and practical interventions.

chronicle