Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has so far mobilised ZiG137 million and US$13 million for farmers that have delivered grain to the Grain Marketing Board, with the parastatal expected to start processing payments this week, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka told the National Assembly yesterday.
Farmers, Minister Masuka said, have delivered 200 000 tonnes of grain to various buyers out of which 30 000 tonnes will go to the GMB.
“I was talking to the Minister of Finance (Professor Mthuli Ncube) and he informed me that Treasury has mobilised ZiG134 million and US$13 million for payment to farmers that have delivered grain to the GMB and they should receive their money this week or early next week,” he said.
Since the structured liberalisation of grain marketing was introduced in 2020, GMB only buys grain from farmers supported through the Presidential Inputs Scheme and joint ventures entered into by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
The other grain is bought by financial institutions that fund farmers and other private contractors. Self-financing farmers are free to sell their grain to buyers of their choice.
Dr Masuka also told the National Assembly that Government will next Tuesday unveil plans for the 2025-2026 summer cropping season.
The plan will focus on the support that will be extended to farmers and production targets in relation to expected weather conditions, among other issues.
Zimbabwe recorded a bumper harvest in the 2024-2025 season with an expected output of over 2,2 million tonnes of grain, which has resulted in economic growth projections of 6 percent.
The bumper harvest followed a devastating El-Nino-induced drought experienced the previous season.