Government releases US$5 million to wheat farmers
Story by Tendai Munengwa
WHEAT farmers have received a US$5 million windfall after government released another trance of outstanding payments for the cereal crop this week.
The payment, made this Monday, has come at an opportune time with planting for the winter crop at its peak.
The move is expected to motivate farmers to meet the national target of 600 000 metric tonnes for the cereal crop.
“The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise farmers and stakeholders that payments for wheat farmers have been significantly made. To date, wheat payments amounting to US$28.7 million have been made, while the Zimbabwe dollar component was completed sometime back.
“This Monday the Grain Marketing Board made payments amounting to US$5 million. We appreciate the patience of our farmers and assure them that the balance left will be paid as soon the government release it. The latest batch paid to farmers follows another 14.6 million United States dollars processed two weeks ago making it 19.6 million United States dollars in total,” said GMB chief executive officer, Dr Edson Badarai.
The latest payment leaves an outstanding foreign currency component of US$15 million for 2023 wheat deliveries, while the local currency component has been paid up.
Government is working round the clock to ensure an uninterrupted wheat season targeting to produce 600 000 tonnes of strategic cereal crop from 120 000 hectares.
