Treasury Releases Fresh Funding to Fast-Track GMB Farmer Payments

The Treasury has released ZWG200 million and US$8 million to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to accelerate payments to farmers and sustain grain deliveries during the current marketing season, in a move aimed at strengthening agricultural production and national food security.

Announcing the development, GMB Chief Executive Officer Dr Edson Badarai said the latest disbursement demonstrates Government’s commitment to ensuring farmers are paid promptly for their produce while encouraging increased grain deliveries to strategic storage facilities across the country.

Dr Badarai revealed that ZWG65 million from the allocation has been utilised to clear outstanding Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) payment arrears owed to farmers, while the United States dollar component of previous payments has already been fully settled.

He said the remaining ZWG135 million will be directed towards paying farmers for current grain deliveries, enabling producers to access their earnings more efficiently and continue investing in agricultural activities.

The GMB Chief Executive Officer further noted that the newly released US$8 million brings total foreign currency payments for current grain deliveries to US$20 million, following an earlier Treasury disbursement of US$12 million.

Dr Badarai encouraged farmers to take advantage of the available marketing infrastructure by delivering grain through the GMB’s 89 depots and 1,804 ward-based buying points located throughout the country.

He said the additional funding will enhance the board’s capacity to maintain timely payments, support grain procurement operations and contribute to the strengthening of Zimbabwe’s strategic grain reserves.

The latest financial injection is expected to boost farmer confidence, incentivise increased deliveries and reinforce ongoing efforts to achieve national food security through efficient grain marketing and procurement systems.

By Witness A Phiri