Source: Farmers deliver 16 000 tonnes of maize to GMB | The Herald
Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
FARMERS have delivered 16 000 tonnes of maize to the Grain Marketing Board as Government makes frantic efforts to pay on delivery.
Government has so far released $4,5 million for the payment of farmers who delivered their grain to GMB depots.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on agriculture yesterday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made yesterday said treasury released $1 million last week and $3,5 million this week.
“We have allowed farmers to deliver grain of between 12,5 and 13,5 percent moisture content and GMB will take care of the issue. Farmers have been affected by drought. There are fears of fires, and thefts so we have granted that GMB must take maize with a moisture content of up to 13,5 percent.
“We are paying maize farmers within a short time so they can use their money for winter cropping. We have instructed GMB that no money should go into the board’s account, but should be go straight to farmers,” he said.
Dr Made said the tobacco industry had an organised marketing system where farmers get their money soon after selling and said Government was working on ensuring the same process is applied to maize.
He bemoaned the challenge of liquidity in the agriculture sector which he said was affecting production as some farmers were not capable of funding themselves.
He said farmers were failing to access funding as financial institutions required collateral.
“Government, with assistance from banks, is working on a document to make the 99-year lease to be used as collateral.
“The document is close to being finalised,” he said.
On cotton, Dr made said the crop was also important in terms of food security and Government could not allow the industry to collapse.
“Government will be supporting cotton for the next three seasons and we are already preparing for inputs related to the next seasons,” he said.
COMMENTS
16 000 tonnes out of a total requirement of 2 000 000 tonnes. Mugabe, Made and Scoones are living legends of Agricultural excellence!! Do the sums!! The balance will need to come from the Zambian Diaspora – I wonder why?? I mean – why is there a Diaspora in the first place?
Zambia has 3.5 million tonnes of maize! Zimbabwe is bragging about 16 000 tonnes!!
terrifying – 16000 tons chete…
gore re nzara
Is this a printing mistake?
16 000 000 kg/ 13 000 000 Zimbabweans = 1,2 kg / Zimbabwean
We are very impressed, eat your fill and use the rest to feed the chickens.