馃嚳馃嚰ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Grain Marketing Board begins paying farmers outstanding arrears for grain deliveries
via NewsDay Zimbabwe2 min read
The Grain Marketing Board GMB has started paying farmers for delivered crops, clearing 74.8% of ZiG and 88.8% of United States dollar amounts owed. This move comes as the government aims to produce 956,350 metric tonnes of winter cereals. GMB has faced criticism for payment delays, which have affected farmers' ability to fund operations. The current outstanding balances are US$4.1 million and ZiG90 million. The Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry reported that approximately 1.9 million hectares are planted with maize, 343,661 hectares with sorghum, 216,615 hectares with pearl millet, and 30,645 hectares with finger millet. For the 2025/26 selling season, GMB will purchase commodities financed under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Input Scheme, while contractors will buy contract-financed grain at market prices. Self-financed farmers are expected to sell to the best market. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange will provide a warehouse receipt system and a market trading platform. GMB will use 1,804 collection points and 89 depots. The government targets 956,350 metric tonnes of winter cereals on 140,500 hectares, including 662,500 metric tonnes of winter wheat, 50,000 metric tonnes of barley, and 243,850 metric tonnes of Irish potato. GMB will also offer an in-transit storage facility to support grain imports and moderate consumer prices.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
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