Zimpapers Logo

transport grain to deficit areas,” he said.
“Transporters are reluctant to come forward because they have not been paid for the grain they delivered months ago.”
Minister Chombo said the situation was worse for some families that had not received payments for the grain they delivered to GMB depots during the 2011/12 marketing season.
GMB owes farmers US$10,2 million in payments for grain delivered to its depots this season.
Minister Chombo accused Minister Biti of “destroying agriculture when it was the country’s economic backbone”.
“From January to March, the country relies on funds generated from the sale of tobacco and from May to August it relies on funds from cotton sales and now because there is no maize or wheat the Ministry of Finance is not going to get any money from agriculture,” he said. “Instead of funding flats for civil servants, Minister Biti should be funding agriculture and use proceeds from the sector for all other uses.”
GMB general manager Mr Albert Mandizha said 80 880 tonnes of maize have been moved to grain deficit areas for the grain loan scheme.
He said the successful implementation of the programme was being hampered by transport shortages.
Mr Mandizha said GMB hired transport from private operators and sometimes faced challenges in areas with poor roads.