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GMB settles outstanding US dollar dues
2 hrs ago |
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Zimbabwe's Grain Marketing Board has cleared all outstanding U.S. dollar wheat payments owed to farmers, disbursing more than $5.2 million as authorities seek to support agricultural production ahead of the next farming season.
GMB Chief Executive Edson Badarai said on Friday the payments covered both arrears and current wheat 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," Badarai said in an interview in Harare.
Zimbabwe's government has prioritised timely payments to farmers as part of broader efforts to boost grain production and improve national food security following years of erratic weather conditions and funding constraints.
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.
The GMB has also expanded its rural grain procurement network, opening 1,804 collection points across the country aimed at improving market access for small-scale farmers and reducing 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," Badarai said.
He added that the GMB was working with millers, processors and other off-takers to ensure farmers have access to reliable markets for their produce.
Zimbabwean farmers are currently harvesting summer crops while preparing land for the 2026 winter wheat season, which government hopes will sustain the country's recent gains toward wheat self-sufficiency.
GMB Chief Executive Edson Badarai said on Friday the payments covered both arrears and current wheat 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," Badarai said in an interview in Harare.
Zimbabwe's government has prioritised timely payments to farmers as part of broader efforts to boost grain production and improve national food security following years of erratic weather conditions and funding constraints.
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.
The GMB has also expanded its rural grain procurement network, opening 1,804 collection points across the country aimed at improving market access for small-scale farmers and reducing 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," Badarai said.
He added that the GMB was working with millers, processors and other off-takers to ensure farmers have access to reliable markets for their produce.
Zimbabwean farmers are currently harvesting summer crops while preparing land for the 2026 winter wheat season, which government hopes will sustain the country's recent gains toward wheat self-sufficiency.
Source - ZBC
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