The Government has introduced a grain swap programme for farmers in the country’s drier regions who grow small grains that are considered more drought-tolerant compared to maize.
Under the programme, farmers who grow small grains such as sorghum, millet and rapoko can deliver their produce to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and receive maize in return.
This was revealed by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development John Basera during a field day in Chivi, Masvingo Province. Said Bhasera:
We are saying to our farmers in areas like Chivi where usually they receive low rains, it is time we grow traditional grains like sorghum, millet and rapoko, among others since we are going to allow them to swap with maize at the GMB.
The field day was hosted by the Chitanga couple who planted a number of crops during the 2021/22 season including nearly 2 hectares of groundnuts.
Chitanga said they have faced challenges in marketing traditional grains and legumes in previous years.