Story by John Nhandara
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has received more than 20 000 metric tonnes of grain from farmers across the country since the start of the marketing season last month, as deliveries continue to rise following a favourable harvest.
The increase comes as the GMB expands access to grain markets through an extensive network of depots and mobile buying points aimed at bringing services closer to farmers.
To facilitate grain deliveries, the GMB has established more than 1 500 mobile buying points nationwide in addition to its existing 89 depots.
GMB Operations Director, Mr Patrick Muzvimbiri said the organisation is recording steady growth in grain deliveries while maintaining timely payments to producers.
“We have taken delivery of more than 20 000 metric tonnes of grain from farmers across the country. GMB is receiving grain through its already established 1 804 mobile buying points and 89 depots, ensuring a wide national coverage. We are also aggregating grain on behalf of millers, stockfeed manufacturers, and other private sector players. Farmers are being paid 70 percent of the value of their deliveries in US dollars and 30 percent in ZiG,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) and the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) have welcomed the newly approved local grain procurement and import verification framework, describing it as a key intervention to stimulate domestic agricultural production.
The framework requires grain buyers, processors and millers to prioritise locally produced grain before importing.
“The framework is encouraging the local procurement of grain and oilseeds in Zimbabwe. Since the opening of the marketing season on April 1, we have been urging all buyers, processors, and millers to purchase at least 40 percent of the grain requirements for their milling plants from local farmers in Zimbabwe,” ZMX Chief Executive Officer, Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi said.
AMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Alice Mapfiza said the framework is supported by legislation designed to strengthen local grain markets.
“This is anchored on Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which requires buyers to source 40 percent of their grain requirements locally before importing the balance. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) is providing the infrastructure and platform that makes it easier for both buyers and sellers to transact within the framework of SI 87,” she said.
The developments come as the GMB continues modernising its grain handling systems, including the transition to smart grain silos, in a move aimed at enhancing storage efficiency and strengthening national food security.
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has received more than 20 000 metric tonnes of grain from farmers across the country since the start of the marketing season last month, as deliveries continue to rise following a favourable harvest.
The increase comes as the GMB expands access to grain markets through an extensive network of depots and mobile buying points aimed at bringing services closer to farmers.
To facilitate grain deliveries, the GMB has established more than 1 500 mobile buying points nationwide in addition to its existing 89 depots.
GMB Operations Director, Mr Patrick Muzvimbiri said the organisation is recording steady growth in grain deliveries while maintaining timely payments to producers.
“We have taken delivery of more than 20 000 metric tonnes of grain from farmers across the country. GMB is receiving grain through its already established 1 804 mobile buying points and 89 depots, ensuring a wide national coverage. We are also aggregating grain on behalf of millers, stockfeed manufacturers, and other private sector players. Farmers are being paid 70 percent of the value of their deliveries in US dollars and 30 percent in ZiG,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) and the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) have welcomed the newly approved local grain procurement and import verification framework, describing it as a key intervention to stimulate domestic agricultural production.
The framework requires grain buyers, processors and millers to prioritise locally produced grain before importing.
“The framework is encouraging the local procurement of grain and oilseeds in Zimbabwe. Since the opening of the marketing season on April 1, we have been urging all buyers, processors, and millers to purchase at least 40 percent of the grain requirements for their milling plants from local farmers in Zimbabwe,” ZMX Chief Executive Officer, Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi said.
AMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Alice Mapfiza said the framework is supported by legislation designed to strengthen local grain markets.
“This is anchored on Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which requires buyers to source 40 percent of their grain requirements locally before importing the balance. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) is providing the infrastructure and platform that makes it easier for both buyers and sellers to transact within the framework of SI 87,” she said.
The developments come as the GMB continues modernising its grain handling systems, including the transition to smart grain silos, in a move aimed at enhancing storage efficiency and strengthening national food security.
