GMB urges farmers to utilise Grain Swap Facility

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has encouraged farmers to take advantage of its grain swap facility, a programme that allows households to exchange crops they can easily grow in their agro-ecological regions for grains that are difficult to produce in those areas.

Speaking during an interview at GMB Masvingo Depot on Friday, GMB Operations Director Patrick Muzvimbiri said the initiative is part of Government's agro-ecological tailoring programme, which aligns crop production with suitable climatic zones.

Under the facility, each household is permitted to exchange one 50kg bag of grain per month for another grain of their choice. Muzvimbiri emphasised that the programme is strictly for household consumption and not for commercial trading.

"We are delighted to support the Government's agro-ecological tailoring programme, which encourages farmers in drier regions, particularly natural regions four and five, to grow traditional grains, while those in regions one, two and three focus on maize production," said Muzvimbiri.

He explained that the programme ensures that households can still consume their preferred grain regardless of what they grow, with exchanges done on a bag-for-bag basis.

Muzvimbiri also revealed that Government is implementing an ambitious silo expansion programme, increasing the number of silos nationwide from 12 to 26.

"At present, GMB is holding healthy stock levels, far better than in previous seasons. All provinces are undergoing upgrades in storage capacity, with modernised silo depots being developed. This expansion will make it easier for us to manage the strategic grain reserve," he said.

He noted that some farmers, particularly in drier regions, had initially resisted the agro-ecological tailoring programme due to limited information, continuing to grow maize instead of more suitable traditional crops.

The silo expansion project is expected to more than double GMB's storage capacity from 750 000 metric tonnes by an additional 784 000 metric tonnes, bringing total national storage capacity to over 1.5 million metric tonnes.

Muzvimbiri highlighted the success of traditional grains, citing Makambwe area in Chiredzi, which recorded a surplus of 25 000 metric tonnes of sorghum, the highest in the country this season.

He urged farmers to fully utilise the grain swap facility, reiterating that it is meant to support household food security.

"Regardless of where you are, you can still access the grain of your choice for household consumption. Some farmers may not be aware of this facility, and we are reminding those who may have forgotten," he said.