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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

Silo Food Industry, a subsidiary of the Grain Marketing Board, will be processing and selling 24 600 tonnes a month, three times the present rate, with all 87 GMB depots joining the 14 shops to sell the products.

Speaking at the appointment of board members for five parastatals under his purview, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said in terms of price instability, especially related to agro-based products, President Mnangagwa had approved the increase in Silo Food Industry’s capacity and assured the nation that the country had enough food in stock and there should therefore, be no need for panic buying.

He added that the mealie meal would be available in 87 GMB depots countrywide.

“Silo Food Industries will redirect all its products, all its mealie meal to GMB distribution points,” said Dr Masuka.

“Currently, it is distributed through 14 outlets. In the next 10 days silo food industries products such as mealie meal will be available in the 87 GMB depots across the country.

“The nation is assured of enough mealie meal. It is available and affordable and please do not panic buying because the GMB has sufficient maize.

“In stock the country has over 215 000 tonnes and over 37 000 tonnes of traditional grains and GMB is receiving the intake for the season and currently we have over 5 000 tonnes, no panic buying, the intention is to ensure grower viability.’’

Dr Masuka challenged the appointed board members of Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Pig Industry Board (PIB) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to continue working hard and transform the agricultural sector.

PIB was challenged to generate US$50 annually in exports by 2025.

“Innovative breeding, cost effective feed, solution, general capacitation of growers’ and to increase production is critical in the sector,’’ said Dr Masuka.

He challenged ZINWA to see further reforming and restructuring, and to become Government water engineer, delivering best water management practices.

“You need to satisfy the needs for affordable and equitable quality water requirements for agriculture industry and domestic use and taking in considerable climate change and economic devolution and decentralisation,” he said.

The parastatal was urged to provide water harvesting and conveyance 350 000 hectares under accelerated irrigation and revitalisation development plan and reforming Zinwa to provide cost and accelerated borehole drilling services to the 35 000 villages.

Dr Masuka challenged ARDA to increase agricultural production and increase food, feed , fibre, biofuels and seed security for the nation and their target is to produce at least 500 000 tonnes of cereals annually.

GMB was challenged to increase strategic grain reserves to 1,5 million tonnes physical reserves and manage the reserve.

Dr Masuka said there was need to transform GMB to become the market value chain manager for the receipt distribution, accountability, use and grain intake for presidential schemes while leveraging on such schemes to build terminal capacity to expand crop intake , diversify revenue schemes and meet many other requirements.

“We want to see the transformed and rebranded GMB. It is probably the biggest contracting company in the country responsible for overseeing the distribution of inputs to 3,5 million households in the country,’’ he said.

Dr Masuka said President Mnangagwa had re-appointed members of GMB, ARDA, TIMB, PIB and Zinwa boards for a second term with effect from 22 May 2023 to 21 May 2027.

He said TIMB should increase production to 300 million kg annually by 2025 and coordinate the implementation of tobacco transformation plan of US$5 billion by 2025 from the current US$1 billion dollar industry.

“We expect discipline environment to increase production to 300 million kg annually by 2025 and coordinating the implementation of tobacco transformation plan,’’ he said.

ARDA board chairperson Ivan Craig thanked the Government for recognising his efforts, adding that he will ensure that the mandates were fulfilled for the development of the nation.

“I appreciate the Government’s efforts because it means they are seeing the efforts l put . The words alone cannot express gratitude. To show our appreciation we need to work hard so that we deliver according to the mandate,’’ he said.

“I’m excited to be reappointed for the second term and l promise that l the mandates are fulfilled in line with vision 2030. We also need to export to the region and meet the 50 million tonnes targets.’’

The retained board chair for PIB is Mr Craig Devenport, while Mr Patrick Devenish is TIMB chair and deputised by Nomusa Dube.

Engineer Bongile Ndiweni is the board chairperson for Zinwa and Air Marshal (Rtd) and Henry Muchena is his deputy.

For GMB, the board chairperson is Ms Joylyn Ndoro and the deputy is Henry Mushonga.

Board members for Zinwa are Eng Ndiweni, Dr Sanzan Diarra, Dr Remember Benjamin, Norman Maisiri, Mr A Franklin, Mrs Nyaradzo Tirivanhu, Mrs Maud Munogwa and Eng Taurai Maurikira.

ARDA board members are Lance Jena, Dr Darlington Muzeza, Thembinkosi Magwaliba, Philomonia Mandaza, Brian Oldrieve, P Matsaira, Tinotenda Mhiko and G. N Nicholas.

TIMB Board members are Memory Mashaya, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Engelbert A Rugeje, Mr Rob Web, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, M Mashaya and K Makuku.

For GMB, board members are Mr Nick Swanepoel, Mrs Rosina Hove, Mr Lloyd D.J Belinsky, Mr Thompson Mukahlera, A Sofalino, P Mudzamiri, Dr P Siwadi and Dr Badarai.

PIB board members are Dr T Ncube, Dr S Ncube, JT Chipunza, HZ Marowa, Mrs Erica Takaendesa and Dr Chenai Majuru.