Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has cleared all outstanding United States dollar wheat payments owed to farmers, disbursing more than US$5.2 million.
GMB Chief Executive officer, Dr Edson Badarai confirmed the development in an interview with ZBC News in Harare on Friday, saying the payments include arrears and current deliveries.
“Today, we have cleared all the outstanding United States dollar payments for wheat that had been delivered, amounting to US$4.3 million. We have also cleared payment for the current deliveries amounting to US$944 000, bringing the total payment to US$5.2 million,” he said.
Dr Badarai credited the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and Treasury for facilitating the release of funds.
“We are very grateful to the leadership of our Honourable Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, who has been coordinating with Treasury to ensure that these resources are made available,” he said.
He urged farmers to continue preparing for the upcoming farming season while outlining measures being introduced to improve grain marketing systems.
“Farmers should continue preparing their land and be ready for the coming season,” Dr Badarai said.
The GMB has also established 1 804 grain collection points across rural areas to improve access to markets and reduce transport costs.
“We have opened 1 804 collection points for farmers in rural areas. These collection points are ward centres where farmers can engage us to aggregate their grain. This will also assist in reducing transport and procurement costs for millers,” he said.
Dr Badarai added that the GMB is working with millers, processors and other off-takers to ensure farmers have a ready market for their produce.
