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The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) said this week, a payment of US$3.29 million was made to farmers who delivered maize and other grains from 01 April 2024.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 13, GMB chief executive officer Edson Badarai urged farmers to deliver maize and other grains to GMB, saying payment will be made within 21 days.
GMB is currently paying US$390 for a tonne of maize and traditional grains, with no ZiG component.
The USD component for a tonne of sunflower is US$418 and the ZiG component is equivalent is US$278, to give a total of US$696.
For a tonne of soya beans, the USD component is US$348, while the ZiG component is equivalent to US$232, to give a total of US$580.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

GMB Pledges To Pay Maize Farmers Within 21 Days

Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Clemence Guta has said the parastatal has cleared all outstanding payments to wheat farmers for deliveries of the crop from last season after receiving over US$5 million from the Treasury this week.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 04 June 2024, Guta said the US$5.3 million payment brings total earnings by wheat farmers for last year’s crop to US$44 million. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise our valued customers and stakeholders that all outstanding payments for wheat farmers have been fully made.
The Grain Marketing Board this week received USD 5.3 million to clear all outstanding wheat payments from the last season, bringing total payments to USD 44 million.
GMB appreciates the support it received from the Treasury in mobilising financial resources and making farmer payments a top priority.
GMB recognises and values the resilience and commitment of our farmers who are spearheading the agricultural transformation agenda.
GMB assures of its commitment to continue playing a key role in national food security, especially in ensuring that farmers are paid on time.
</blockquote>
While this is a positive development, some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the delayed payments.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<div class="in_article">
<div>
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
</div>
</div>

GMB Clears Outstanding Payments To Wheat Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) on Monday, 27 May, said it had paid US$10 million to wheat farmers, bringing the payments so far to US$38.3 million.
In a statement, GMB CEO Edson Badarai said the parastatal is prioritising the clearance of the outstanding balance of US$5.3 million. He said:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board advises our esteemed farmers and stakeholders of the significant progress made in clearing wheat farmers’ payments. Today, GMB paid USD 10 million to farmers, bringing the payments so far made to USD 38.3 million.
The consistent release of funds from Treasury demonstrates Government’s commitment to its promise to support farmers; towards wheat-based food security.
In the same vein, clearance of the outstanding balance of USD 5.3 million is a top priority. GMB appreciates the dedication and resilience of our farmers, and will continue playing its key role in the agriculture transformation agenda.
</blockquote>
This comes as some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the government’s failure to pay them for wheat delivered last year.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Pays $10M To Wheat Farmers, Total Reaches $38.3M

Some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the government’s failure to pay them for wheat delivered last year.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) said it had paid a total of US$28.7 million to wheat farmers for the grain delivered from last year’s harvest.
GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai said that they were still mobilising funds to clear all payments to wheat farmers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB's Delayed Payments Hamper Wheat Farmers’ Winter Crop Season

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says it paid a total of US$28.7 million to wheat farmers for the grain delivered from last year’s harvest.
In a statement, GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai said the local currency component of the payment was completed.
Badarai, however, did not specify the amount owed by GMB to wheat farmers or provide a timeline for full payment. He said:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise our esteemed farmers and stakeholders that payments for wheat farmers have been significantly made.
To date, wheat payments amounting to USD28.7 million have been made, while the ZWL component was completed some time back.
Today, the Grain Marketing Board made payments amounting to USD 5 million. This follows payments of USD 14.6 processed in the last 2 weeks.
GMB appreciates the patience of farmers as the last payments are being mobilised.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is targeting to put 120,000 hectares under winter wheat with the harvest expected to reach 600,000 tonnes, well above the 468,000 tonnes produced from 91,000 hectares last year.
The delay in GMB’s payment to wheat farmers has disrupted their activities, making it difficult for them to secure loans from banks during this winter wheat cropping season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Pays A Cumulative US$28.7 Million To Wheat Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says the country has only four months’ supply of grain left in reserve.
GMB acting operations director, Clemence Guta, told parliamentarians this week that the current quantity of grain stocks held in the reserves was 156 681 metric tonnes (mt) of maize, 45 959mt of traditional grains and 247 578mt of wheat. Said Guta, as quoted by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/grain-stocks-deplete-gmb-left-with-four-months-supply/">Business Times</a>:
<blockquote>
An estimate of the projected grain requirements for the year 2024 and the anticipated consumption levels by various sectors such as food processing industries, livestock feed and human consumption national requirement for maize and traditional grains is 2 200 000mt for both humans and livestock, milling industry 45 000mt per month and livestock feed 30 000mt per month.
The available maize and traditional grains at GMB are primarily targeted to benefit the vulnerable households under social welfare.
As for grain stocks, we are left with approximately four months’ supply. The GMB will import to augment the available stocks targeting vulnerable households.
</blockquote>
He said private players have imported more than 300 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat over the past ten months. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
Grain processors have also been allowed to import grain for processing such that a total of 310 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat were imported into the country from 1 April 2023 to date.
GMB only managed to sell the following quantities of grain to processors during the period 1 April 2023 to date: 155 000mt maize, traditional grains 10 800mt and 32 500mt of wheat.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances affecting grain production such as adverse weather conditions or crop diseases, contingency measures are in place to mitigate any potential shortages and ensure food security.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a prolonged drought which has been attributed to El Nino.
The 2023/24 summer cropping season has been poor due to late and erratic rains coupled with an acute shortage of fertiliser in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Left With Four Month Supply Of Grain

The Government has reportedly failed to release funds to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to enable it to pay wheat farmers for deliveries to the parastatal.
A farmer in Banket, Mashonaland West Province, speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021385/gmb-fails-to-pay-wheat-farmers">NewsDay</a> anonymously, accused GMB of making false promises. He said:
<blockquote>
We are into the festive season and workers look forward to us paying them but GMB has not paid us.
Besides the Christmas holiday, every parent needs school fees early next year. We are not happy at all.
</blockquote>
Another farmer said that only one farmer in Karoi, also in Mash West Province, was paid recently due to pressing health issues. He said:
<blockquote>
Indeed, GMB has not paid us for the outstanding winter wheat.
Only one farmer who has health challenges was paid recently. We have failed to buy inputs for this farming season and are in a fix over the delays by GMB.
</blockquote>
However, GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai claimed that the parastatal has started paying wheat farmers. He said:
<blockquote>
On the US dollar component, the payments have been largely paid, except for US$2.8 million which will be liquidated in no time.
Winter wheat intake has also commenced with ZWL$59 million paid so far.
GMB would like to apologise for the delayed payment to our resilient and committed farmers spearheading the agriculture revolution that has seen Zimbabwe attaining food self-sufficiency.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe produced over 465 000 tonnes of wheat in the 2023 winter wheat season, thereby surpassing the previous record of 375 000 tonnes attained in 2022.
The country requires about 360 000 tonnes of wheat for national consumption annually and this year’s winter wheat crop is 100 000 tonnes more than national demand.
GMB’s failure to pay grain farmers on time may scuttle the progress the country has been making in recent years to be self-sufficient.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Fails To Pay Wheat Farmers

The Government says the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, enough to last 10 months.
In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere said that as of 10 December 2023, GMB had in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, comprising 188 353 tonnes of maize and 46 742 tonnes of traditional grains. He said:
<blockquote>
At the prevailing monthly consumption rate of 23 000 tonnes per month, the available grain will last 10.2 months.
</blockquote>
Muswere said the country’s current wheat stocks stand at 242 508 tonnes sufficient to provide 11.5 months of cover.
He said GMB has a 46.8 per cent market share of maize, 7.3 per cent of soya bean, 41.3 per cent of sunflower, wheat 46 per cent, and 63.6 per cent of traditional grains, translating to 39.4 per cent share of the total marketed crop.
Muswere said 227.5 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$1.196 billion have been exported at an average price of US$526 per kg.
Last year, 182 million kilogrammes worth US$880.677 million were exported at US$4.83 per kg.
He said more than 85 295 tonnes of graded cotton have been delivered across the nation as of 06 December compared to 55 927 tonnes at the same time in 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Grain Stock Enough To Last 10 Months - Govt

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has failed to pay farmers the outstanding ZWL$54 billion several months after they sold grain to the parastatal.
With the 2023/24 summer cropping season just around the corner, GMB’s failure to pay farmers has likely hampered preparations for the new season.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director Paul Zakariya said the issue of delayed payments has negatively impacted farmers’ cash flow. <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/anxiety-as-gmb-fails-to-pay-farmers/">Business Times</a> quoted Zakariya as saying:
<blockquote>
We are at a stage where farmers would require to ensure that cash flows continue to be positive on the farms and that they meet other expenses like labour costs and repairs to machinery and equipment as well as ensuring that the farms are ticking so these delayed payments have actually become quite a bother on many operations.
</blockquote>
Last week, GMB finance director Clemence Guta told Parliament that of the outstanding payments, ZWL$ 21 billion was for maize deliveries. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
We have an outstanding balance of ZWL$54bn of which ZWL$21bn relates to maize deliveries and we got US$ 25mn which is outstanding as well about US$ 8.7mn relates to traditional grains with the balance being for wheat deliveries…
We are continuously pursuing the Treasury so that they release funds so that our farmers are able to go back to the fields.
</blockquote>
He also said the GMB has started inputs for the Presidential input scheme but was lagging behind in terms of payments to transporters.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Fails To Pay Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have launched an operation to combat the misappropriation of farming inputs meant to be distributed to smallholder farmers countrywide under the Presidential Inputs Programme.
GMB chief executive officer Edson Badarai told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/22-arrested-over-pfumvudza-inputs-theft">State media</a> that nearly 90 tonnes of fertiliser have been recovered while 22 arrests have been made and five armed robberies involving Presidential inputs have been recorded since distribution began.
Some of the criminals are reportedly diverting the inputs for resale on the black market. Said Badarai:
<blockquote>
The GMB is carrying out a blitz in conjunction with law enforcement agencies to recover inputs being sold on the black market.
The blitz has so far led to the recovery of 89.4 tonnes of fertilisers that had been diverted to the black market from the Presidential Inputs Programme.
The blitz is meant to destroy the market for the inputs and make them unfavourable to dealers…
Five cases of robbery involving inputs have been recorded, bringing a new dimension to criminality, which in previous years only involved unscrupulous beneficiaries.
To prevent such incidents, inputs are accompanied from GMB depots to the wards by a team, including GMB staff, extension officers and members of the ZRP.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, five suspected thieves were arrested recently after they stole agricultural inputs worth US$30 000 from a Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot.
The gang of five reportedly stormed a GMB depot at Charandura in Chirumanzu and stole 540 bags of compound D fertilizer and 17 bags of shelled ground nuts which they then loaded into their truck.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Launches Blitz To Recover Stolen Free Presidential Inputs

Five suspected thieves were arrested on Friday after they stole agricultural inputs worth US$30 000 from a Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot just before midnight on Thursday.
The gang of five reportedly stormed a GMB depot at Charandura Chirumanzu and stole 540 bags of compound D fertilizer and 17 bags of shelled ground nuts which they then loaded into their truck.
ZRP spokesperson in Midlands Province told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/dramatic-arrest-5-storm-into-gmb-depot-steal-us30k-inputs-apprehended-in-police-highway-ambush/">Chronicle</a> that suspected thieves were arrested on Friday around 2:20 AM fleeing with their loot to Harare along the Harare – Masvingo highway in Mvuma.
He said the bags of fertiliser and groundnuts as well as the DAF 15-tonne truck which was used in the commission of the offence, are held at Mvuma Police Station as exhibits. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>
The arrested suspects are, Tirayi Dzimangi (52), of Hatcliff, Harare, Munesu Lazarous (37) of Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza, Harare, Jofile Magwadi (53) of 12th Street Hatcliff, Harare, Titus Marange (34) of Village Makarara, Chief Marange, Mutare and Stephen Nhamo (38) of Goodhope Lot 6 Westgate, Harare.
</blockquote>
He said on Thursday at around 11:30 PM the gang went to GMB Charandura Depot and allegedly cut the security fences at the depot and gained entry into the premises.
They found two security guards on duty and assaulted the guards using logs. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>
They asaaulted the guards using logs, tied them using ropes, stuffed their mouths with pieces of clothes and dumped them in a stormwater drain.
They searched for and found keys to the gate, drove their truck into the depot and loaded 540 bags of compound D fertilizer and 17 bags of shelled ground nuts before driving away.
</blockquote>
He said the offence was immediately discovered by another security guard who was coming from church and reported the matter at Charandura police station.
The two other security guards who were found in the stormwater drain were referred to St Theresa Hospital for medical assistance.
Insp Mahoko said Charandura Police Station alerted their Mvuma counterparts who mounted an armed roadblock in Mvuma along the Harare-Masvingo highway. He said:
<blockquote>
Within a few minutes, a truck matching the description they had been given approached from Masvingo direction at high speed. The truck disobeyed the police signals to stop.
Police had to fire shots which deflated one of the front wheels and in the process causing the motor vehicle to halt.
</blockquote>
Insp Mahoko said three occupants immediately jumped out and disappeared into the darkness. He added:
<blockquote>
All inputs stolen from GMB Charandura depot were recovered. Apart from the inputs, inside the vehicle was a third number plate with registration number AGA 9786 which is different from the front and rear number plates AGJ 7169.
We invite members of the public to assist us as we embark on the investigation of one of the seemingly sophisticated robbery exploits in the country.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Five Robbers Who Stormed GMB Depot Arrested In Police Highway Ambush

The Government has set the wheat marketing price for the 2023 agricultural season at US$520.25 per tonne, slightly up from the pre-planting producer price of US$520 per tonne, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/government-announces-wheat-marketing-price/">reported The Herald</a>.
Wheat farmers will be paid 75% in US dollars for their deliveries, and the remaining 25% will be payable in Zimbabwe dollars.
Speaking during a press conference on the marketing price for winter wheat, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka said:
<blockquote>
The price determination is based on the approved pricing policy which uses a standardised maize production model, cost plus pricing model, an average yield level of 4.8 tonnes per hectare and 15 percent margin above breakeven price.
Submissions from various stakeholders are also taken into consideration. Up to 80 percent of wheat production costs are in USD.
</blockquote>
Masuka said the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will purchase all wheat financed under the Presidential Input programme as well as by the self-financed farmers and will be the buyer of last resort.
He said contractors may arrange to sell to GMB.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Sets Wheat Marketing Price At US$520 Per Tonne

The government says the country has sufficient maize and small grains stocks that are expected to last until next season.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the current stock stands at 204 084 metric tonnes of maize and 41 464 metric tonnes (mt) of traditional grains. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that as at 9 July, 2023, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had in stock a total of 204 084 mt of maize and 41 464 mt of traditional grains.
Millers and stock-feed manufacturers are being allocated 27 000 mt, SILO Foods 16 000 mt per month, and an additional 10 000 mt will be sold to Rwanda.
</blockquote>
Regarding wheat, Mutsvangwa said the country’s current stocks stood at 140 029 mt, which is sufficient to provide eight months’ cover, as the monthly allocation stands at 21 000 mt. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to highlight that 69.8 percent of the country’s wheat is being produced by A1 farmers. The nation is informed that a record 86 466 hectares have been put under wheat compared to 80 882 hectares last year.
The area planted is 14.5 percent above the initial target of 85 000 hectares, and 96 percent of the revised target of 90 000 hectares.
The bulk of the planted wheat or 69.8 percent is by resettled farmers (A1 and A2), while the communal farmers contributed 6.95 percent.
The bulk of the planted wheat is now at the vegetative stage and is in good condition. Quelea bird control activities are underway, including the aerial spraying of nesting points using drones. The required pesticides are also readily available.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa also said Cabinet deliberated at length on the importance of paying farmers on time for the delivery of all crops.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has Sufficient Grain Reserves - Govt

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Edson Badarai as the new substantive Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive officer, effective 15 May 2023.
Badarai takes over from Rockie Mutenha, who retired recently after his appointment to the position in May 2017.
Mutenha was on a five-year contract, which was extended by another year, ending on 31 March this year.
Following Mutenha’s retirement, Clemence Guta was ppointed acting CEO and his tenure began on 01 April 2023. In a notice, GMB said:
<blockquote>
The Board of Directors of Grain Marketing Board, with the approval of His Excellency The President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has appointed Dr Edson Badarai as GMB Chief Executive Officer effective 15 May 2023.
This was done in terms of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31]
</blockquote>
According to GMB, holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Free State University (South Africa), a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management (Chinhoyi University of Technology) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree in Accounting (NUST).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Edson Badarai Appointed GMB Substantive CEO

The Government has rejected calls by the opposition to pay farmers for their produce exclusively in United States dollars.
Speaking during a Question and Answer session on Wednesday, Kuwadzana East MP Chalton Hwende (CCC) asked the Government to consider paying farmers in USD to enable them to buy inputs for next season. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200011744/dump-the-failed-zimdollar-mps">Said Hwende</a>:
<blockquote>
The RTGS will not enable these farmers to buy inputs for the next cropping season.
Why is the government not considering paying them in United States dollars for all their produce just like what is being done beyond the borders?
Right now, the government is paying farmers RTGS and expects them to go to shops where prices are being inflated.
</blockquote>
In response, Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the leader of Government business in Parliament, said the Government will not abandon the Zimbabwe dollar. He said:
<blockquote>
Honourable Hwende is in other words encouraging government not to pay in RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement), but in US dollars. The truth is that we cannot stop paying farmers in RTGS.
We cannot, therefore, say we are no longer paying in RTGS. We cannot dump the RTGS because it has lost value and we adopt another currency.
That is not possible. We have to promote our own currency if we want to control our own economy.
We can only put measures to control and stabilise the inflation rate on the parallel market.
If you look at all the countries around the world, Zambia for example, has once done it, but eventually moved away from that decision and opted for its own currency, the Kwacha.
</blockquote>
Last month, the Government announced that grain farmers will be paid at US$368 per metric tonne.
US$200 will be in foreign currency and the remaining US$168 in Zimbabwe dollars at the interbank rate.
When the local currency was reintroduced in June 2019, it was trading at 1:1 with the US dollar but has since fallen to $1 407 on the official auction market and more than $3 000 on the black market.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Rejects Legislators' Call To Pay Farmers Exclusively In US Dollars

The Government on Friday announced producer prices for strategic crops such as maize, traditional grains, soya bean, and sunflower.
The Grain Market Board (GMB) will only purchase strategic commodities financed under the Presidential Input Programme as well as by self-financed farmers.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, at a media briefing in Harare.
GMB will pay a floor producer price of US$335 per metric tonne for maize and traditional grains.
For soya beans and sunflowers, GMB will pay US$580 and US$696, per tonne respectively.
The prices will be partly paid in foreign currency and the remainder in Zimbabwe dollars at the prevailing interbank rate.
The Government has also set a pre-planting producer price of US$520 per metric tonne of wheat. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
A floor producer price of US$335 per metric tonne of maize and traditional grains is paid to farmers by GMB as US$200 in foreign currency plus US$135 in local currency.
US$580 per metric tonne for soya beans paid as US$348 in foreign currency and US$232 in local at the interbank rate.
</blockquote>
The Government has also liberalised the marketing of grain with all contractors allowed to buy back contracted crops.
Self-financed farmers will also sell their produce in the market or to the Grain Marketing Board.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Announces Producer Prices For Grains, Soya Beans

The Government says it will clear the US$14 million owed to wheat farmers for the produce delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in the next three weeks.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, John Basera said Treasury was committed to clearing the debt by mid-April.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/govt-to-clear-us14m-wheat-farmers-debt/">The Manica Post</a> reported that Basera made the pledge while addressing farmers at a Pfumvudza Field Day in Chiendambuya last week on Friday. Basera said:
<blockquote>
We have agreed with the Treasury to clear the outstanding debt of US$14 million owed to wheat farmers in the next three weeks.
By mid-April, we should have cleared it so that farmers can prepare for winter wheat cropping.
The wheat delivered to GMB was worth $39 billion and the whole amount was paid in full, leaving the USD component outstanding.
The USD component was US$31 million, and we are left with US$14 million.
</blockquote>
The government said wheat farmers were paid 30 percent of their sales proceeds in foreign currency and 70 percent in local currency.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009522/ed-demands-re-run-in-violence-hotspots">Pindula News</a>

"GMB To Clear US$14 Million Wheat Farmers Debt By Mid-April"

Ten (10) Grain Marketing Board (GMB) employees were seriously injured following an explosion at the company’s Chegutu depot on Tuesday, 31 January.
The injured workers were rushed to Chegutu General Hospital where their condition was said to be stable. In a statement, GMB CEO Rockie Mutenha said:
<blockquote>
Preliminary investigations have pointed to a grain bucket elevator explosion which emitted some heat injuring the personnel on duty.
</blockquote>
Provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairman, Josephat Jaji, who is also Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary, had put the number of the injured at nine (9):
<blockquote>
I can confirm that nine people were injured when an explosion occurred at one of the silos that they were working in.
There were no fatalities and the injured were rushed to Chegutu General Hospital.
We are, however, waiting for experts to give the cause of the blast as investigations are now underway.
</blockquote>
A similar tragedy occurred in 2018 when at least four people were killed while three others were seriously injured after an explosion at the GMB’s Lion’s Den Depot, near Chinhoyi.
Both Chegutu and Chinhoyi are in Mashonaland West Province. | <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/10-gmb-workers-suffer-severe-burns-after-explosion-at-chegutu-depot/">ZimLive</a>, <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/explosion-rocks-gmb-chegutu-depot-leaves-9-injured/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

10 GMB Workers Suffer Burns After Explosion At Chegutu Depot

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has pledged to pay all wheat farmers that delivered their crop their outstanding payments in foreign currency starting this week.
To date, the government has reportedly paid up to ZWL$37 billion and US$4 million to wheat farmers, with outstanding payments now around US$26 million.
Speaking during a Green field day held in Mazowe on Friday, GMB operations director, Forward Takaendesa said:
<blockquote>
We managed to pay 67 percent in the Zim dollar component. Those with errors on their accounts and those who delivered their crop late were also affected, but we are sure that all those are going to be paid.
Efforts are being made to aggregate such amounts. We are trying our best. By next week, we are sure that we are going to pay our farmers in US dollars.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Depinah Nkomo urged GMB to expeditiously pay farmers early to enable them to plan.
GMB is paying ZWL$268 048 plus US$220 for a tonne of premium grade, while standard grade receives $243 680 plus US$200 per tonne.
Last season wheat farmers produced more than 380 000 tonnes. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/wheat-farmers-to-start-getting-their-balances-this-week/">The Herald</a>

GMB Pledges To Pay US$26 Million Owed To Wheat Farmers Soon

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) owes farmers US$27 million for grain deliveries and has so far paid all farmers the Zimbabwe dollar component of the payments.
This was said by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka after a tour of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Matabeleland North Province last week.
Masuka assured farmers that the government will soon release the foreign currency so that they get their money. He said:
<blockquote>
The GMB owes farmers US$27 million. But they have paid all the Zimbabwe dollars.
So, if you have received the Zimbabwe dollars that’s fine. We will be paying the US dollars soon.
</blockquote>
The chairperson of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme Douglas Khumalo said each farmer at the irrigation scheme is supposed to receive US$370 adding to the $500 000 that has been paid. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gmb-to-start-paying-farmers-for-grain-deliveries/">Chronicle</a>

Grain Farmers Owed US$27 Million By GMB

Wheat farmers are accusing the government of abandoning them and leaving them at the mercy of “unscrupulous” millers and contractors.
The government set the producer price of wheat at US$620 per tonne for the ordinary grade but millers and contractors are reportedly offering them between US$450 and US$500 per tonne.
A farmer who refused to be named told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200004379/wheat-farmers-cry-foul-over-price">NewsDay</a> that the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is not buying wheat but has only offered storage facilities to the wheat farmers. Said the farmer:
<blockquote>
Government said the producer must be paid US$620, but it is only on paper. GMB said it is not buying any wheat and the millers are offering way below the stipulated prices.
The bumper harvest that we experienced is now a curse and most farmers have vowed not to plant wheat again next year.
</blockquote>
A representative from one of the millers’ associations said the government announced the new producer prices without consulting them. Said the representative:
<blockquote>
The US$500 is the indicative price. The problem with our government is that it just announces the price without consulting.
Sometimes it becomes cheaper to import wheat of high quality than to buy it locally.
The other thing is that most of the wheat farmers are contracted. They have a prior arrangement with their contractors which stipulates the amount of money they are getting paid.
</blockquote>

Grain Millers Buying Wheat Below Stipulated Price - Farmers

Grain Marketing Board (GMB) workers have given the parastatal’s management a 14-day ultimatum to review their salaries which they say are no longer enough to cater to their basic needs.
According to a notice addressed to the parastatal’s management dated 16 November 2022 and signed by GMB and Silo Food Industries Worker’s Union secretary-general David Chigogo, the lowest-paid worker is earning less than ZWL$30 000 per month. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
The employers have disregarded the prevailing economic environment in which most goods and services are pegged in US dollars.
This has severely eroded the buying power of employees’ salaries as evidenced by the lowest-paid employee earning a basic salary of $29 111.
To make matters worse, there is no USD component to compensate for the meagre salary.
This salary has been stagnant since April 2022. How do employers expect employees to survive?
</blockquote>
The workers also claimed that they are being made to work during weekends to distribute farming inputs under Pfumvudza and the Presidential Input Scheme. They said:
<blockquote>
Employees even come to work on Sundays in order to fulfil inputs distribution targets but their plea for salary review (or) payment of overtime in full and USD component has not been heard.
The management has kept on procrastinating salary reviews hiding behind their principal citing no funding but employees are saying enough is enough.
If the employers are failing to value the services of employees, we are saying it is time to put tools down.
Other parastatals have been awarded salary increments by the same principal.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003882/gmb-workers-threaten-job-action-over-us30-salary">NewsDay</a>

GMB Workers Threaten Job Action Over Salaries

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has said it has paid ZWL$6.56 billion and US$10.5 million for grain deliveries made by farmers.
GMB chief executive Rockie Mutenha told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gmb-pays-6bn-us11m-to-farmers/">The Herald</a> that nearly 128 000 tonnes of maize have been delivered, but more farmers were still delivering. He said:
<blockquote>
More farmers are coming to deliver their maize at our depots and we have also been making timeous payments to them.
As of September 6, we had received 127 835 tonnes of maize from farmers.
In terms of payments so far we have paid farmers an amount of $6.56 billion and US$10.5 million.
</blockquote>
Mutenha also said farmers have so far delivered 24 026 tonnes of traditional grains to GMB.
He, however, urged farmers to work together with GMB officers stationed at each depot to improve moisture content as some maize was being delivered with a lot of moisture.
GMB is paying ZWL$100 000 plus US$90 for a tonne of maize.

GMB Says It Has Paid ZWL$6 Billion, US$11 Million To Farmers

Hurungwe East legislator Takundwa Masenda (ZANU PF) has challenged the government to consider paying maize farmers in foreign currency saying they are committing themselves to feed the nation.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Masenda said the money currently being paid to farmers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for their maize is too little. He said:
<blockquote>
My point of national interest is centred on the production and sale of agricultural products with particular reference to the production of maize.
I feel maize being our staple food is not being given the priority it deserves in terms of the buying price being offered to the farmers.
The buying price for maize as it stands now is US$90 plus RTGS75 000 per tonne of maize, which translates to US$90 plus US$75 having converted the RTGS component to United States dollars using the parallel market rate which now stands at US$1 to RTGS1 000.
I have had to use the parallel market rate because most farmers do not have access to the foreign currency auction system that operates under the Reserve Bank.
It, therefore, means that the farmer can only buy two bags of Compound D after having sold one tonne of maize.
To grow one hectare of maize, a farmer requires 350kg or seven bags of Compound D and another seven bags of AN (ammonium nitrate) per hectare.
Producing maize is no longer viable and not sustainable for the farmer. To explain clearly, the authorities (must) consider paying maize or pegging the price in United States dollars as we have embraced the multi-currency system.
I, therefore, propose that the buying price be pegged in US dollars, with US$90 being paid in hard currency as our economy has embraced a multi-currency system and the balance being paid in RTGS at the bank rate of the day.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/maize-price-worries-mps/">NewsDay</a>

Current Price Of Maize Unsustainable For Farmers - MP

The government says it is committed to paying farmers on time for grain delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Addressing journalists at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said a total of ZWL$748 million and US$2 million have already been paid to the farmers. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
Cabinet received an update on the 2022/2023 Cereal Marketing Season and 2022 Winter Wheat Production as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
The nation is informed that the grain marketing season commenced on 1st April 2022, with substantial stocks carried over from the previous season.
Government is committed to paying farmers on time. The grain intake as of 22 June 2022 was 20 626 metric tonnes (MT).
The value of the grain delivered so far is ZW$1.8 Billion and USD2.12 million with ZW$748 million and US$2 million having already been paid to the farmers.
</blockquote>
She also said grain millers are set to import 400 000 MT of maize from Malawi and Zambia while wheat farmers have planted 75 000 hectares of land for this season. Mutsvangwa said:
<blockquote>
The nation is further informed that it is anticipated that deliveries will peak around July to September, before declining in November.
The grain Millers have concluded import contracts of 400 000 MT from Malawi and Zambia. It has been indicated that Social Welfare will require 30 000 MT every month.
Regarding the 2022 Winter Wheat Production, the nation is informed that the target was to plant 75 000 hectares and produce 383 000 MT, which will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs.
Despite challenges with the late start of commencement of the winter season due to a delayed summer rainfall season, the area planted to date is 100% of the target.
</blockquote>

Farmers Get Paid For Grain Deliveries To GMB

The Government has announced a fixed maize delivery incentive of US$90 per tonne in a bid to motivate farmers to sell their crop early to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
The incentive was announced by the acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday. He said:
<blockquote>
The nation is also informed that Cabinet has approved a review of the price of maize to ensure farmers’ viability.
The current maize price to ZW$75 000/MT plus a fixed early delivery incentive of US$90/MT. 
The early delivery incentive will be extended to other crops such as traditional grains, sunflower and soya bean, is payable to 31 July 2022, and applies to all deliveries made since the commencement of the marketing season.
</blockquote>
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the ZWL$75 000 a tonne paid for maize, sorghum, millet and rapoko, and the US$90 incentive adds up to the equivalent of US$350. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
If you look at the import parity price for maize and if you look at this price framework, this is a very lucrative arrangement for farmers.
It is giving them the equivalent of US$350 which is comparable if not better than anywhere else in the region.
Farmers should take advantage of this generous offer from Government.
</blockquote>
According to the GMB website, soya bean farmers are paid $171 495 a tonne and sunflower farmers $205 794.52 a tonne.
Meanwhile, fertiliser will now be sold in foreign currency in an open market as some components are imported.
However, farmers who access fertiliser using the Government schemes will pay for the product in Zimbabwe dollars.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/us90-per-tonne-incentive-for-grain-delivery/">The Herald</a></h4>

Maize Farmers Offered US$90 Per Tonne Early Delivery Incentive

Zimbabwe has 2.3 million tonnes of grain needed to feed its population until the next season, against a national demand of 2.2 million tonnes, a senior government official has said.
In an interview with The Manica Post last week, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, John Basera, said the country has a surplus of 100 000 tonnes of maize.
Basera however, said the grain is not enough to sustain strategic grain reserves of 500 000 tonnes.
As a result, the Government has lifted the maize and wheat import bans to allow the milling industry and stock feed manufacturers to import grain. Basera said:
<blockquote>
As a country, we do not have grain shortages. The total production of grain this season is 1.8 million tonnes plus the 0.5 million tonnes which are in the strategic grain reserves from the previous season.
This will add to 2.3 million tonnes against a national demand of 2.2 million tonnes. In other words, we actually have a surplus of 100 000 tonnes.
The surplus is, however, not enough to maintain our strategic grain reserves, and obviously, we will need more, especially in light of what is happening in Eastern Europe.
We need more in our reserves and that is why we have lifted the ban on grain imports.
We are allowing those with free funds to import grain.
Certainly, we have some areas with grain deficits, but in the same vein, we also have some areas with surplus grain.
We need an efficient distribution system to move grain from areas with surplus grain to those with a deficit in line with the President’s directive to ensure that no one starves.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/zim-has-surplus-maize/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

Zimbabwe Has A Maize Surplus, Says Basera

<h2>Full statement by Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive officer Rockie Mutenha on the control and sale of maize and soya beans.</h2>
1. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) wishes to advise all farmers that maize, soya beans, wheat and barley are controlled products in terms of the following Statutory Instruments:
a. Statutory Instrument 145 -Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Maize) Regulations, 2019.
b. Statutory Instrument 97-Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Soya Beans) Regulations, 2021.
c. Statutory Instrument 188 – Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Wheat and Barley) Regulations, 2021.
2. All farmers or producers of controlled grains are required to deliver the product to any nearest GMB depot. Farmers/producers who intend to retain a portion of the product for farm feed or other commercial usage shall apply for exemption from GMB.
3. No one is allowed to sell or buy maize and any controlled product other than through GMB unless one is a bona fide contractor registered with the Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe (AMA).
4. All farmers, producers and contractors are required to apply for a movement permit where grains are being moved from one area to the other.
5. Trading in controlled products (buying or selling) without the authority of the GMB is an offence. All storers, millers, stock feeders and any other users of controlled products are required to register with the GMB before engaging in such business.
6. Grain Marketing Board shall be enforcing the above Statutory Instruments to ensure compliance. Those found in breach of the regulations risk prosecution, forfeiture of the grains and a fine three times the selling price of the controlled product.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

GMB Statement On The Sale Of Controlled Grains [Full Text]

Farmers’ representatives have castigated the Government’s recent decision to use soldiers and police to seize grain from farmers.
In a memo, last week Lands and Agriculture ministry secretary John Basera instructed Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive Rockie Mutenha to invoke provisions of Statutory Instrument (SI) 145/19 to stop farmers from side marketing their grain.
Responding to the memo, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Shadreck Makombe argued that farmers should be free to choose buyers for their grain. Said Makombe:
<blockquote>
There is nothing like side marketing for those who independently grew their grain because they would have financed their farming activities.
These farmers must make independent choices on where to sell their grain as the government’s decision is curtailing their freedom to make independent choices.
This policy should have been implemented on those who produced their grain through contract farming.
Of course, those doing side marketing should be disciplined, but what about independent farmers?
</blockquote>
However, Zimbabwe Farmers Union president Paul Zakariya said farmers who were contracted by GMB should honour their contracts. He said:
<blockquote>
You surrendered your freedom when you signed the contract and collected the inputs promising to deliver grain at the end.
This is a contract hence there is no need for the army and police to intervene in order to deal with deviant farmers.
</blockquote>
Some farmers prefer to sell their produce to private players citing low prices offered by GMB and late payments.
Private players are also attractive to farmers not only because they pay for the grain promptly but also because they offer foreign currency.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/proposed-raids-on-grain-farmers-raises-stink/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt's Proposed Raids On Grain Unsettle Farmers

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, has directed the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to put in place measures that ensure farmers deliver all their grain.
In a letter dated 24 May 2022 and addressed to GMB Chief Executive Officer Rockie Mutenha, Ministry of Lands Secretary John Basera said that 30 000 tonnes of grain have been harvested to date but only 5 000 tonnes have been delivered to GMB. The letter reads:
<blockquote>
Ministry has noted with concern the low deliveries of grain to GMB since the start of the marketing season on 1 April 2022.
This is evident of side-marketing tendencies by farmers considering that about 30 000MT have been harvested to date Vis-à-vis deliveries to GMB of about 5 000MT.
You are therefore required to operationalise the provisions of S. 145/19 in order to prevent and avert the side marketing of grain with immediate effect.
This includes but is not limited to conducting grain busting operations at various non-GMB depots, as well as the setting up of permit inspections at various points such as roadblocks.
You are also encouraged to ride on our partnerships with members of the Joint Operation Command in the execution of this important task.
</blockquote>
The letter was also copied to the Joint Operations Command (JOC), the body responsible for the coordination of state security comprising the Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and Central Intelligence Organisation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

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