CABINET BRIEFING: Government Increases Maize Producer Price
This Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutvsangwa has revealed that the government has reviewed up the maize producer price to ZWL$6 958 (US$389) per tonne for the 2019-2020 marketing season, compared with 1,400 Zimbabwe dollars set last June.
Speaking during the fourth post-cabinet briefing for 2020 in Harare this Wednesday afternoon, Mutsvangwa said that the move is meant to boost farmers to sell their grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Meanwhile, traditional grains including Sorghum, Millet and Rapoko will be pegged at ZWL$7 260 per metric tonne.
She also emphasised the importance of traditional grains, commonly referred to as small grains, in alleviating the food crisis in the country.
The government decision to increase the price comes when last year some farmers opted to sell their grain to private buyers or export them to neighbouring countries including Zambia.
Poor maize producer price coupled with drought resulted in the country’s silos receiving insignificant grain. Resultantly, the country has a huge mealie-meal deficit.
Zimbabwe is now importing grain from neighbouring countries including Tanzania.
More: ZBC News
