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Senior Agriculture Reporter

The Grain Marketing Board has so far paid $14 billion to farmers for the grain delivered to its depots countrywide as the marketing season progresses.

Farmers have delivered grains worth $23 billion to the parastatal that include maize, soyabeans and traditional grains.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed this at the 26th post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

“It is highlighted that 629 007 tonnes of maize, 11 381 tonnes of soya bean and 64 798 tonnes of traditional grains had been delivered to the GMB as at 2 August 2021,” she said.

“All grain such as wheat, maize, traditional grains and soya beans delivered to date is valued at $23,1 billion, of which $14,3 million has been paid to farmers, giving an outstanding balance of $9,3 billion.

“All efforts are being made to ensure that the backlog is cleared with haste.”

GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha, said grain deliveries were intensifying.

“We are now receiving an average of 12 500 tonnes of grain daily,” he said.

Maize output for the 2020/21 cropping season is estimated at a record 2,7 million tonnes, about 193,1 percent up from 0,9 million tonnes produced in the 2019/20 season.

The maize output will be complemented by increases in the output of other grains, which include sorghum, pear millet and finger millet.

This level of output surpasses the national cereal requirement of an estimated 1,8 million tonnes and 450 000 tonnes for human and livestock consumption, respectively.

Government has designated the GMB as the sole buyer of grain and those side marketing will be prosecuted.

The GMB is expecting an intake of 1,9 million tonnes of grain from farmers during the 2021 grain marketing season.