GMB accused of favouring wheat over staple grains

Lawmakers have raised alarm over the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)'s payment structure, accusing it of disproportionately favouring wheat farmers at the expense of maize and traditional grain producers.

The concerns come at a time when government is encouraging farmers - particularly in drought-prone regions - to shift towards small grains as part of climate adaptation strategies.

However, legislators say delayed payments and uneven disbursements by GMB are undermining rural livelihoods and threatening food security, as many smallholder farmers struggle to sustain production.

According to a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report presented before Parliament, GMB owes farmers US$34 million in outstanding payments.

The board reportedly received US$13 million and ZiG150 million to reduce the debt. Of the US$13 million disbursed, US$11 million went to wheat farmers, while only US$2 million was allocated to maize and traditional grain producers.

Lawmakers warned that the imbalance risks deepening poverty in rural areas, where maize and small grains are central to household food security.

"The committee was informed that GMB owed US$34 million to farmers and they received US$13 million and ZiG150 million towards the payment of the outstanding debts," Parliament heard.

"Of the US$13 million, US$2 million was used to pay farmers of maize and traditional grains, and the remainder went towards the payment of wheat farmers."

The report highlighted chronic indebtedness at GMB, describing delayed payments as a recurring operational issue linked to systemic underfunding and weak financial planning.

"The committee observed that chronic indebtedness and recurrent payment delays demonstrate systemic underfunding of grain procurement and equity concerns," the report noted, adding that wheat farmers received about 85% of the US dollar payments.

Legislators also raised constitutional concerns, noting the absence of ring-fenced funding for farmer payments.

"Lack of ring-fenced funding for farmer obligations contravenes Section 298(2) of the Constitution," Parliament heard.

To address the situation, the committee recommended that GMB clear all outstanding arrears by July 31, establish a transparent payment schedule by June 30, publish quarterly updates on debt repayments and develop a sustainable funding model with Treasury by September 30.

Debating the report, Hurungwe East MP Chenjerai Kangausaru said reforms were necessary to transform GMB into a more efficient and accountable institution.

"What this report presents is a clear path for reform and alignment with best practice," he said.

Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika warned that persistent delays were trapping rural farmers in poverty, while Zaka East MP Clemence Chiduwa called for policy changes to allow grain trading on the open market.

The debate is set to resume tomorrow, with lawmakers expected to push for urgent reforms to stabilise the country's grain procurement system.