The government has released an additional US$5 million to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to pay farmers for their 2024 winter wheat deliveries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 9, GMB Chief Executive Officer Edson Badarai confirmed the disbursement. He said this latest payment brings the total amount paid to farmers so far to US$23 million and ZiG215 million. Said Badarai:

The Grain Marketing Board has received USD 5 million for wheat payments this week bringing total payments for wheat deliveries to USD 23 million and ZWG 215 million.

The Board greatly appreciates all the efforts being put in place by Treasury to mobilise resources as farmers prepare for the winter wheat cropping season.

GMB greatly appreciates, the resilience and undoubted commitment and dedication of our farmers as the country drives towards a wheat based food self-sufficiency.

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However, Badarai has not disclosed the outstanding amount still owed to farmers for wheat delivered last year.

This lack of clarity may raise concern among farmers, especially as GMB has yet to fully pay for wheat deliveries made in 2024—at a time when preparations for the 2025 winter farming season are already underway.

GMB has developed a reputation for delaying payments to farmers, a pattern that has led to cash flow challenges and made it increasingly difficult for many farmers to operate their enterprises efficiently.

Commenting on the situation, George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe, remarked, “Something is not right!”

GMB’s announcement coincided with a separate statement by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube, who revealed that the government had disbursed US$3.1 million in cash to 378 white former commercial farmers who lost land during Zimbabwe’s land reform programme.