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The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board/">Grain Marketing Board</a> (GMB) has urgently requested a float of $1 billion and US$1.5 million from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to ensure prompt payment to farmers upon delivery of their grain.
Late payments by the GMB have affected farmers’ earnings and financing of future operations.
The GMB’s finance director, Mr Clemence Guta, made this appeal to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for a continuous flow of funds to facilitate timely payments. He said:
<blockquote>
 We have also requested for a float of $1 billion and US$1,5 million so that we timely pay farmers.
Total receipts to date are 3 331 MT valued at $513,38 million and US$714 000. Farmers have been the given Zimbabwe dollar component in full and the forex component is still outstanding.
</blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board has received payment for all the grain delivered by farmers, totaling 373,996 tonnes valued at $58.97 billion and US$53.38 million since the opening of the 2022-2023 marketing season.
Mr Guta stated that maize was the top grain delivered with 2,846 tonnes, followed by soya beans, white sorghum, red sorghum, sunflower, and wheat. He added that the outstanding foreign component will be received this week.
He also warned the public against conmen who pose as its employees and offer foreign currency in exchange for local currency deposits. Guta said the GMB does not have any agents for procurement and payment. He encouraged people to report such incidents to any GMB depot or police station.
The government recently announced a grain producer price of US$335 per tonne for maize and traditional grains, with US$200 in foreign currency and US$135 in local currency.
Similarly, the floor producer price for soybean is US$580 per tonne, with US$348 in foreign currency and US$232 in local currency at the interbank rate. Oil expressers will pay GMB US$638 a tonne, paid as US$348 in foreign currency plus US$290 in Zimbabwe dollars.
The floor producer price for sunflower is US$696 per tonne, while the pre-planting floor producer price for wheat was set at US$520 per tonne.
<h2><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Pindula News

GMB Requests ZW$1bn And US$1.5m To Pay Farmers Promptly

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">Grain Marketing Board (GMB)</a> has announced the appointment of Mr Clemence Guta as the acting chief executive officer (CEO) following the retirement of Mr Rockie Mutenha last month.
Guta’s tenure began on April 1, 2023.
Mr Mutenha was in charge of the organisation since May 2017 on a five-year contract which was extended by another year, ending on March 31 this year.
The retirement is being done in compliance with the GMB retirement policy.
In a notice to announce the appointment of the new CEO, the board, management and staff of GMB, thanked Mr Mutenha for his contribution to the organisation. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
Mr Mutenha provided leadership to the GMB during a period of significant business challenges and successfully achieved grain intake rebound from a low of 208 311 tonnes in 2016 to a high of 1 099 117 tonnes in 2021. 
He also successfully oversaw the rebranding of the GMB for the first time since its establishment in 1931.
</blockquote>
Guta was the GMB finance director since June 1, 2016, and at one stage was appointed operations director.
He previously held non-executive directorship positions in companies in the financial and medical insurance sectors. 
Guta is a qualified chartered accountant and a holder of a Bachelor of Accountancy Honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe.
He has over 25 years of experience at the senior management level in various sectors, including financial, manufacturing, distribution and insurance.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

GMB Announce Appointment Of New CEO

The Arbitration Court has ordered the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">Grain Marketing Board (GMB)</a> to hike its workers’ salaries by 1000% and pay its least-paid employee US$350 or the equivalent in local currency.
GMB workers were earning US$30 or $29 000 before the court ruling.
According to a court ruling dated March 16, arbitrator Caleb Mucheche ruled in favour of the GMB employees. Mucheche ruled:
<blockquote>
The respondent (GMB) did not produce financial evidence of being a loss-making entity. Consequently, in the final analysis, therefore, I am of the view that it is just and equitable that the claimant be awarded a wage increment of US$350 for the period July to December 2022 payable at interbank rate.
</blockquote>
Silo Food Industries Worker’s Union (SFIWU) president David Chigogo said they would continue pushing until the lowest worker takes home US$700 per month. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009138/1-000-pay-hike-for-gmb-workers">NewsDay</a> quotes Chigogo as saying:
<blockquote>
It’s a victory for the employees. We last got an increment in April 2022. However, we are carrying on with the fight because we want the least paid to take a basic salary of US$700. Now that we are done with last year’s business, our focus is now on 2023 first quarter negotiations.
</blockquote>
In November last year, the parastatal’s <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/gmb-workers-threaten-job-action-over-salaries/">workers threatened to down tools over poor salaries</a> which they said has been stagnant since April 2022. This was happening when the Zimbabwe dollar was losing value against other currencies.
They also complained that they were working overtime including during weekends when they were distributing farming inputs under Pfumvudza and the Presidential Input Scheme. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

GMB Workers' Salaries Hiked By 1000%

The government has announced pre-planting producer prices for the present summer cropping season in United States dollars.
Maize is set at US$335 per metric tonne, almost the same as what an imported tonne would cost once landed in Zimbabwe, according to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/farmers-welcome-new-producer-prices-2/#:~:text=Producer%20prices%20for%20traditional%20grains,US%240%2C46%2Fkg.">The Herald.</a>
<h2>Other grains:</h2>
<blockquote>
i). Producer prices for traditional grains were set at US$335 a tonne; 
ii). Soya beans at US$597.59 a tonne, 
iii). Sunflower at US$687.23 a tonne, 
iv). Cotton: a). grade D at US$0.40/kg, b). grade C at US$0.41/kg, c). grade B at US$0.43kg/kg d).  Grade A US$0.46/kg.
</blockquote>
Lands and Agriculture minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Anxious_Masuka">Anxious Masuka</a> and Finance minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> made the announcement in a joint statement issued Wednesday.
Masuka said <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">GMB</a> and the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Cottco">Cotton Company of Zimbabwe</a> would only purchase strategic commodities (Maize, traditional grains, soya bean and cotton) financed under the Presidential Inputs programme and from self-financed farmers. GMB may also purchase grains from contractors. He said:
<blockquote>
All contractors including the Food Crop Contractors Association, CBZ Bank, AFC Bank are obligated to buy back contracted crops at market prices.
Self-financed farmers will sell to the best advantage of the market or to GMB and Cottco. GMB will provide commercial warehouse receipt services to grain contractors. Government will issue a statutory instrument that mandates private players to provide returns on storage grains to be able to track national stocks of maize and other grains.
</blockquote>
Cotton farmers have been getting 75% of their payments in United States dollars and the balance in local currency following the declaration of cotton as an export crop by the central bank.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Govt Announces Grain Producer Prices

Harare North lawmaker <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Allan_Markham">Allan Norman Markham</a> has demanded that the ministers of agriculture and finance give reasons behind the delayed payment of wheat farmers two months after delivering produce.
He made the remarks while raising a point of national interest last Thursday in parliament, according to Open Parly.
Markham said delayed payment may affect preparation for next season. He said:
<blockquote>
My point of national interest is requesting a statement from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. 
Currently, we are aware that the Government has yielded and received 255.000 tonnes of wheat. 
That has been in stock now for nearly two months and no wheat farmer that I am aware of has been paid anything yet. 
Wheat farmers are due to receive $200 to $220 per tonne and also ZWL 255.000 but none of this has been paid.
I think it is a matter of national importance that this House asks for a statement from the Minister as to the delay in payment.
</blockquote>
Furthermore, Markham expressed concern over reports that farmers were expected to pay for storage and marketing of the produce because the Government cannot pay them. 
Wheat is among the grain on the controlled produce list that restricts farmers to sell the produce to the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">Grain Marketing Board</a> or contractor who has financed production.
Earlier in the year the government complained about side marketing by farmers insisting it would cause food insecurity.
The further payment delays to  wheat farmers may result into a shortage of the produce or a rise in price especially considering that there is wheat shortage on the global market due to the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ukraines-foreign-minister-putin-launched-full-scale-invasion-well-defend-and-win/">Russia-Ukraine war which began in February this year. </a>
Markham added that the delay will push the farmer to borrow in the financial sector with the highest lending rate in the world.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

MP Demands Answers On Why "No Wheat Farmer Has Been Paid Anything Yet"

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says the current 2022/23 agricultural season will see farmers face difficulties in accessing crop inputs owing to higher-than-average prices.
Inflation has remained in triple digits since May and this would hurt farmers, NewsDay reported citing USAID’s latest food security outlook released by the food security department the – Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). FEWS NET said: 
<blockquote>
Throughout the main 2022/23 agricultural season, access to crop inputs is expected to be significantly below normal, due to above-average prices in both USD [United States dollar] and ZWL [Zimdollar]. Most smallholder households are expected to depend on government crop input assistance, given their inability to purchase inputs on the markets.
As has been the case over the last few years, shortages of some fertilisers are likely and the demand for top-dressing fertiliser is expected to be higher than normal given above-average rainfall forecasts across the country and anticipated high levels of leaching. Despite input access challenges, green harvests and consumption are expected at near-normal levels in early 2023 and the main harvest is also likely to be near-average from April/May.
</blockquote>
The annual inflation rate fell to 255% in November, down from 268.8% in October, and 280.4% in September.
FEWS NET said the government aimed to distribute crop inputs to about 19 000 households for the 2022/23 cropping season in the district, up from 14 000 last year, though it may be inadequate.
FEWS NET said grain deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board have been significantly lower than normal this year, a result of below-normal harvests. 
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

USAID Says High Prices Of Inputs Will Affect Zimbabwean Farmers In 2022/23 Season

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Wednesday increased the price of wheat by 30% in a development that could trigger a hike in bread prices.
Industry officials yesterday told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/another-bread-price-hike-looms/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a> that GMB increased wheat prices from $239 000 to $310 000 per tonne in local currency, or US$680 at the interbank rate.
National Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Dennis Walla said players in the sector would be forced to also increase the bread price to cover operational costs. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
Wheat is a major component in the baking of bread. So when GMB increases the price, it affects the pricing of bread,” he said in an interview.
</blockquote>
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe corporate affairs manager Andrew Kunambura said they were trying to negotiate with GMB over the latest wheat price increase. He said:
<blockquote>
I can confirm that there are price increases, but there are negotiations to try and find a way of preventing further increases in the bread value chain.
</blockquote>
A loaf of bread is currently pegged at $790 or US$1.75 using the interbank rate in some retail shops. In some shops, bread is being sold for US$1 plus $150 to $300.
Reports indicate that GMB has also increased the producer price of maize and traditional grains from $75 000 to $100 000, but maintained the price of US$90.
The producer price of a tonne of soya beans is now $228 666 up from $171 495 but is unchanged at US$90 in foreign currency.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the looming bread price increase was a sad development for the country’s workforce, already grappling with the rising cost of living while salaries remain stagnant.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary-general Japhet Moyo said the increase in wheat price “automatically affects the majority of people” as families might not be able to get the food that they always depend on. 
He bemoaned the deadlock between employers and employees over salary increments. 
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

GMB Increases Wheat Price Triggering Fears Over Possible Bread Price Hikes

The acting manager of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">GMB</a> Mushumbi Depot Lovejoy Ngowe was on Tuesday granted a $50 000 bail, in a case in which he is accused of being involved in the<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/05/21/deputy-minister-arrested-over-misuse-of-presidential-farming-inputs/"> hijacking of inputs</a> from the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
The <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/05/24/deputy-minister-karoro-granted-bail/">same was granted</a> to his co-accused, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Karoro">Douglas Karoro</a> and two others accused on Monday.
Ngowe, Karoro, Jeremy Phiri and Dean Dzumunya are alleged to be involved in the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/05/21/deputy-minister-arrested-over-misuse-of-presidential-farming-inputs/">diversion of fertiliser, maize seed and vegetable combo kits worth US$73 300</a> with Karoro and Ngowe taking the maize seed and kits in April, and the fertiliser being shipped out last month. The four are each facing three counts of fraud.
Ngowe appeared before magistrate Mrs Yeukai Dzuda represented by lawyer Mr Batanai Pesanai.
Karoro has dismissed the allegations claiming in his bail application on Monday that the whole matter was simply an attempt by political opponents to get him out of the way so they could win the ZANU PF nomination for the Mbire constituency.
The allegations that first came out at Ngowe’s original remand hearing were that in April on separate occasions Karoro and Ngowe connived to convert to their own use the maize seed and vegetable kits meant for the Presidential Inputs Scheme in Mbire.
After facing complications, Karoro allegedly tried to cancel the scheme and return the inputs but some of the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/05/21/deputy-minister-arrested-over-misuse-of-presidential-farming-inputs/">fertiliser disappeared</a> along the way revealing corrupt deeds.
<h2>More: <a class="external text" href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed via <a class="external text" href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">the App. Download it here</a></h2>

GMB Inputs Scam: Deputy Minister Karoro's Accomplice Granted Bail

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has announced that it is paying farmers 30% of the amount due on Maize and Traditional Grains delivered in United States Dollars and the rest in Zimbabwe dollars. Said GMB in a statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>FARMER PAYMENTS FOR GRAIN INTAKE 2022</h2>
1. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) advises the nation that it is paying farmers 30% of the amount due on Maize and Traditional Grains delivered in United States Dollars (USD) and 70% in Zimbabwe Dollars (ZWL).
2. Farmers are therefore urged to urgently open USD Nostro Accounts with their respective banks.
3. The GMB is encouraging farmers to update their Nostro Banking details with our Supply Chain Managers at all our depots throughout the country for timeous payments.
4. For those with GMB Farmer Cards, the nostro accounts will be automatically generated in our system.
5. We are encouraging farmers to take advantage of this development and start delivering their Maize and Traditional Grains to GMB.
6. For any clarification, the public can contact the GMB Corporate Communications Department through the hotline telephone line 024 (2) 701898 or email at publicrelations@gmbdura.co.zw
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

GMB Paying Maize, Traditional Grain Farmers 30% Of Their Money In USD

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr John Mangwiro, has ordered the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to take maize deliveries from vaccinated farmers only.
Speaking at a meeting at Chivhu District Hospital in his Constituency on Wednesday, Mangwiro said farmers must produce vaccination cards while all GMB workers must be vaccinated.
He asked the Joint Operations Command (JOC) for Chikomba District to immediately enforce the policy despite the official position saying vaccination is voluntary.
Mangwiro said workers in the farms and people in the villages have tested positive to Covid-19 and advised people to be vigilant and avoid gatherings. He said:
<blockquote>_For a farmer to deliver his or her grain, he or she must first produce a vaccination card. The same should happen to our GMB officers across the country, they should be vaccinated._
_We want to make sure that every vendor out there is vaccinated because they mix with different people when selling their products. Our District Task force and JOC members should make sure that this is enforced immediately._</blockquote>
Some farmers warned that the policy will result in low deliveries to the GMB while some expressed concern over the move saying vaccination was slowly becoming compulsory.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/gmb-to-receive-maize-from-vaccinated-farmers-only/">The Mirror</a>

GMB Instructed To Take Maize From Vaccinated Farmers Only

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has reported that maize deliveries have exceeded the projected target of 44 000 tonnes for the month of May.
GMB chief executive Mr Rockie Mutenha made the revelations to The Sunday News on the sidelines of the Interactive Meeting he had with the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution on agriculture and land issues in Bulawayo on Friday.
Mutenha said they had received deliveries of 56 000 tonnes of maize and is anticipating the deliveries to reach a 65 000 tonnes target by the end of May. He said:
<blockquote>_In terms of our projections, we had projected that in May we would have received 44 000 metric tonnes of maize but amazingly as of last night (Thursday), we had received 56 000 metric tonnes of maize. We have already exceeded our projected target for May, we are expecting that by end of May which is a week from now we will reach probably 65 000 metric tonnes._</blockquote>
This is happening when <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/20/zimbabwe-bans-importation-of-maize-and-maize-meal/">Zimbabwe has banned the importation of maize</a>, a development which Mutenha said was prudent since the country is expecting 2.7 metric tonnes of maize this year.
He also said in terms of payments, GMB was spot adding that the value of the crop they had received so far was about $2.89 billion, while Treasury had already given them $2 billion.
Mutenha added that arrangements had been made with transporters who carry maize from the farm to GMB and the payment arrangement is on a stop order basis.
Under the arrangement, farmers only pay money to the transporter when the maize is delivered to GMB who deduct what is due to the transporter and then give the farmer their money.
With regards to mobile depots, he said they were likely to be increased based on the demand. GMB established over 1 400 collection and buying points countrywide.

<ol>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/20/zimbabwe-bans-importation-of-maize-and-maize-meal/">Zimbabwe Bans Importation Of Maize And Maize Meal</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/14/government-millers-agree-on-maize-import-ban/">Government, Millers Agree On Maize Import Ban</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/09/japan-donates-20k-tonnes-of-maize-to-zimbabwe/">Japan Donates 20k Tonnes Of Maize To Zimbabwe</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/06/12/farmers-expected-to-deliver-upto-60-000-tonnes-of-maize-to-the-gmb-by-monthend/">Farmers Expected To Deliver Upto 60 000 Tonnes Of Maize To The GMB By Month-end – June 2020</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/05/30/maize-farmers-welcome-30-percent-bonus/">Maize Farmers Welcome 30 Percent Bonus</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/04/27/maize-hectarage-decline-as-govt-increase-price-of-small-grains/">Maize Hectarage Decline As Govt Increase Price Of Small Grains – 2020</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/03/08/zimbabwe-secures-80k-tonnes-of-maize-from-shephered-bushiri/">Zimbabwe Secures 80k Tonnes Of Maize From Shepherd Bushiri – 2020</a></li>
</ol>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/maize-deliveries-exceed-targets-56-000-tonnes-delivered-in-three-weeks/?_ga=2.77740561.46339048.1621663913-2033503882.1614659007">Sunday News</a>

Maize Deliveries Exceed Target - GMB

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has attributed delayed payments of wheat farmers to pressure at its few grading facilities.
GMB speaks after farmers have been complaining over delays in payments with others saying they delivered their crop to GMB depots last month.
The parastatal is buying ordinary wheat at $43 778,84 per tonne, while grade A wheat will be paid a premium price of $52 534,61 per tonne.
Speaking about the delays in paying farmers, GMB chief executive Mr Rockie Mutenha said efforts were underway to make sure the situation is rectified. He said: 
<blockquote>
This year we are grading into premium and utility grades.
We are grading from only five grading points using machines to achieve the correct protein and falling number levels.
This is putting a bit of pressure on us. This is why we have a challenge, but we are trying to make sure the situation is managed.
Farmers have continued to deliver their wheat and to date we have received 140 406 tonnes of wheat from farmers. This is an increase from the 43 145 tonnes that had been delivered to GMB depots during the same period last year.
</blockquote>
In a recent statement to GMB, Mazowe North legislator, Campion Mugweni, urged GMB to deal with the payment delays so that farmers will also have very little pressure since the 2020-2021 farming season has already approached.
Mugweni who is also a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement alleged that several farmers from his area who had delivered their wheat a month ago were still waiting to receive their money.
The legislator also argued that the delays in payments could discourage them from sending their crop to GMB.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gmb-explains-payment-delays/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a>

GMB Blames Pressure At Grading Facilities For Delayed Payments

Maize millers have announced that they have put to halt the production of government’s subsidised mealie-meal after their supplier, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">Grain Marketing Board (GMB)</a> hiked maize prices.
Ironically, maize producer prices remain paltry and unchanged a situation that has seen many <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/04/27/maize-hectarage-decline-as-govt-increase-price-of-small-grains/">farmers ditching the crop during the 2019/20 farming season.</a>
The development was announced by the chairperson of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tafadzwa_Musarara">Tafadzwa Musarara</a> who said millers are seeking a way forward. He said:
<blockquote>The supplier price of maize went up from $6 000 a tonne to $12 400; that’s over 100% increase. So millers have stopped supplies of subsidised roller meal until government addresses the issues.</blockquote>
The development comes when there is already an acute shortage of mealie-meal in the country following a poor farming season.
With limited supplies, the prices of the commodity are expected to sharply rise, a scenario that will further deteriorate the living standards of the general populace.
Meanwhile, there is no signal from authorities so far to suggest that the government will introduce any package to cushion the citizenry from the effects of the national lockdown that was imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/">NewsDay</a>

Millers Stop Supplies Of Mealie-Meal

The government has released a report which notes that 106 520 hectares of maize were written off in the 2019-2020 farming season.
This decline in maize hectarage, from 1 623 757 hectares in the 2018-2019 season to 1 549 324 hectares in the current season, can be attributed to a number of factors including a dry spell that saw farmers delaying the farming season.
It can also be attributed to the recently announced producer price of $12 865 per tonne for traditional grains, a price that is slightly higher than the $12 329 offered for maize.
This resonates with the report which also notes that there was an increase (on small grains hectarage, in the same period under review.
Previously, maize and small grains had the same price but the increased price for small grains is reportedly a strategy by the government to encourage farmers to grow traditional crops which are considered drought resistant.
Farmers have been complaining over the producer price offered for maize and the new prices probably pushed them to cross over to traditional crops.
This comes when Zimbabwe has an acute shortage of mealie-meal and is already importing the commodity from neighbouring countries.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/maize-hectarage-declines/">The Herald</a>

Maize Hectarage Decline As Govt Increase Price Of Small Grains

This Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutvsangwa has revealed that the government has reviewed up the maize producer price to ZWL$6 958 (US$389) per tonne for the 2019-2020 marketing season, compared with 1,400 Zimbabwe dollars set last June.
Speaking during the fourth post-cabinet briefing for 2020 in Harare this Wednesday afternoon, Mutsvangwa said that the move is meant to boost farmers to sell their grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Meanwhile, traditional grains including Sorghum, Millet and Rapoko will be pegged at ZWL$7 260 per metric tonne.
She also emphasised the importance of traditional grains, commonly referred to as small grains, in alleviating the food crisis in the country.
The government decision to increase the price comes when last year some farmers opted to sell their grain to private buyers or export them to neighbouring countries including Zambia.
Poor maize producer price coupled with drought resulted in the country’s silos receiving insignificant grain. Resultantly, the country has a huge mealie-meal deficit.
Zimbabwe is now importing grain from neighbouring countries including Tanzania.
More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/maize-producer-price-reviewed-to-zwl6-958/">ZBC News</a>

CABINET BRIEFING: Government Increases Maize Producer Price

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that cargo trains carrying maize have departed Mozambique for Zimbabwe. Posting on Twitter, the Ministry said:
<blockquote>Cargo trains carrying grain started moving from Maputo to Zim today (Friday 14 February 2020). Zim envoy Ambass Nyikayayaramba reports that incessant rains delayed loading wagons to avoid moisture. Close to 100 wagons are carrying over 3000ts of grain.</blockquote>
There is an acute shortage of mealie-meal in the country as a result of a combination of drought and poor agricultural policies which have depreciated the country’s food production capacity over the past two decades.
The government, as a result of the shortage, resorted to importing grain from other countries and has also appealed to stakeholders and sympathisers to assist with food as a huge number of citizens is starving.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/MoFA_ZW/status/1228408563942469637">Ministry of Foreign Affairs</a>

"Nearly 100 Wagons Carrying Over 3000ts Of Maize Depart Mozambique For Zimbabwe," - Zimbabwe Government

The recently instituted mealie-meal task force has discovered that employees at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in Bulawayo are diverting at least 60 per cent of Government-subsidised mealie-meal to the black market.
The alleged fraud came to light after taskforce last week made a surprise visit at Silo Foods Industries’ factory at Belmont industrial area where it allegedly discovered an invoice book that was being used by the perpetrators of the scam.
As a result of the discovery, the task force has engaged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to institute an investigation on the matter.
The Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rajeshkumar Indukant Modi said that there have to be consequences to such underhand dealings. He said:
<blockquote>These incidents of fraud are tantamount to stealing food from the mouths of hungry Zimbabweans. This is corruption at its highest level… To this end, we have suspended the sales representative who was getting most of the mealie-meal allocation from Silo Foods Industries in Bulawayo. We found their (employees maize meal allocation) explanation absurd and we suspended that arrangement forthwith.</blockquote>
The minister added that if left unchecked, the theft would result in accelerated inflation and the black market. The country has an acute shortage of mealie-meal.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/zacc-probes-gmb-employees-mealie-meal-allocation-arrangement-suspended-60-percent-of-commodity-being-channelled-to-the-black-market/">Sunday News</a>

Mealie-Meal Task Force Unearths Serious Underhand Dealings On Subsidised Mealie-Meal

Grain Marketing Board general manager, Mr. Rocky Mutenha has revealed that the recently operationalised Silo Foods Industries has opened 84 shops across the country.
Speaking to the Chronicle in an interview on the sidelines of a Smart Agriculture conference held at Chaminuka Vocational College in Mt Darwin last week, Mr. Mutenha said Silo Foods was established to stabilise prices of foodstuffs. Mutenha said:
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<blockquote>From April 1, 2019, Silo Foods became a stand-alone institution wholly owned by the GMB and is already operational. Silo products are already available at our 84 depots countrywide. We have gone beyond that to open satellite shops where Silo products are already being sold.
Products such as mealie-meal, wheat flour, stock feeds salt and samp are already on the shelf and are being sold to the general public. Our prices are reasonable, remember Silo Foods was established to stabilise foodstuffs prices on the market so we are a force to reckon with on the food market.</blockquote>
The company is believed to be selling mealie-meal, rice, sugar beans, salt, samp, bran, peanut butter, Kapenta, Pearl Millet grain, flour, mixed fruit jam, coffee, maputi, and popcorn.
Whilst critiques think the initiative will not last, the government is reported to have already injected $70 million into the business. An additional US$95 million is expected over a three-year period.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/silo-foods-opens-84-shops/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Chronicle</a>

GMB Subsidiary SILO Foods Industries Opens 84 Depots Countrywide

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa has said that the government has come up with a number of measures to cushion customers in the face of the soaring inflation.
She was speaking to Zimbabweans staying in the UK at the country’s London Embassy recently. The minister added:
<blockquote>Some of these companies seem to be trying to find ways of removing the government. On the eve of independence, we woke up to a new price of bread. This is despite that the President is preaching the message of engagement…he is saying let’s engage, we don’t want to effect price controls, since Zimbabwe is open for business we want the principles of demand and control to take root in our economy. The industry has been invited several times to the negotiation table so that problems are ironed out but it however decided to disregard that channel.</blockquote>
She added that the government was working towards disaggregating the Grain Marketing Board and redefining its functions. She also confirmed that the government has already allocated $70 million to the board for it to start selling the basic commodities.
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/govt-cushions-consumers-from-price-hikes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZBC News</a>

Govt Implementing Measures To Cushion Customers - Minister

Former Grain Marketing Board (GMB) workers are angry with Munyaradzi Gwisai for allegedly hiding a Court ruling that was in their favor. The workers had approached Gwisai seeking to recover outstanding salaries, pension, housing, funeral, and medical aid contributions.
About 477 GMB workers were dismissed following the infamous Supreme Court Zuva case. GMB former employees believe that they won the case but Gwisai hid court ruling papers from them. One former GMB employe said:
<blockquote>After the Zuva judgment, we were given three months’ notices. We then challenged the dismissal and we won, but I believe Gwisai and GMB lawyers hid the judgment from us.</blockquote>
As per a NewsDay article, there are papers from the labour officer which ordered GMB to pay the claimants a minimum retrenchment package of one month’s salary for every two years worked as compensation for loss of employment. The payment was never made and Gwisai was supposed to make follow-ups.
Speaking to the NewsDay, Gwisai said that GMB paid the workers. He also said that the ruling in question was a draft order which is supposed to be confirmed by the Labour Court. Gwisai further said that the follow-up was no longer possible following mutual separation agreement because workers had already been paid.
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More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/05/gmb-ex-employees-turn-on-their-lawyer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

Gwisai Under Fire For Allegedly Hiding Court Ruling From Clients

Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, Mr Ringson Chitsiko told Parliamentarians that Zimbabwe has enough grain reserves to feed the nation for nine months.
Chitsiko said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security on Friday on the food security situation in the country. He was accompanied by Agritex principal director Mr Joseph Gondo and Grain Marketing Board operations manager Mr Felton Kamambo. The committee is chaired by former Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
Mr Chitsiko said as at December 3, the country’s maize stocks stood at 1 179 756 and small grains amounted to 135 935 tonnes. The country also had 119 794 tonnes of wheat as of Thursday. Said Chitsiko:
<blockquote>For the past two seasons, Zimbabwe has not imported any major grains such as maize. We have 1 179 156 tonnes of maize, which is twice our mandatory Strategic Grain Reserve of 500 000 tonnes. The nation is comfortable since the surplus is enough to see us through nine months. This means the supply of the staple diet in the country is out of danger. It is important that if we do not work around the El Nino-induced drought, the glory can vanish. We are working on measures to adapt to the potential effects of El Nino.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/grain-reserves-will-last-9-monthsofficial/">Herald</a>

Zim Has Enough Grain To Feed Nation For Nine Months

In an interview with The Chronicle, Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director Paul Zakaria said they will push for an increase of the producer price if the price of maize seed remains high.
The Grain Marketing Board buys maize from farmers at $390 per tonne. Said Zakaria:
<blockquote>The prices have to be commensurate with producer prices,” he said. “If the price of maize seed is to be allowed to be where it is now, as farmers we will push for a review of the producer price so as to accommodate the new price of inputs. If these prices are not reined in, farmers will downsize their production because of unaffordable costs of inputs. This will obviously affect production. There is, therefore, a need for a social contract between Government, business and consumers. Otherwise as farmers we will push for a review of producer price and this will have an effect on taxpayers.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Mr Wonder Chabikwa urged Government to intervene.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/maize-seed-prices-unjustified-minister/">Chronicle</a>

Farmers To Push For Producer Price Increase If Maize Seed Price Remains High

Government is set to increase wheat prices if ongoing negotiations with farmers’ representatives end well.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) pays $500 for a tonne of wheat and indications are that the price might be reviewed upwards. In an interview with The Herald, GMB deputy general manager operations Lawrence Jasi confirmed there are negotiations for the upward review of the prices. Said Jasi:
<blockquote>We are now in the harvesting period for the winter crop. Farmers have already started delivering wheat to GMB. As we speak, we have received 9 000 tonnes of wheat at our depots. At the moment there are talks that Government can review upwards wheat prices. We were buying maize at $390 per tonne, Soya at $780 per tonne and wheat was at $500 per tonne.</blockquote>
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More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-set-to-review-wheat-prices/">Herald</a>

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