Farmers Ordered To Deliver Grain To GMB Within 14 Days Of Harvesting
![Farmers Ordered To Deliver Grain To GMB Within 14 Days Of Harvesting](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fzero.pindula.co.zw%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Ffarmers-ordered-to-deliver-grain-to-gmb-within-14-days-of-harvesting_juvgi9S.webp&w=640&q=75)
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says all maize, soya beans, wheat and barley farmers should deliver their produce to any nearest GMB depot within 14 days of harvesting.
Zimbabwe is facing a looming food shortage caused by poor rainfall during the 2021/22 summer season which caused crops to fail across much of the country.
In a statement on Friday, 29 April, GMB said maize, soya beans, wheat and barley were controlled products and farmers who intend to retain a portion of the product, shall apply for an exemption. Part of the statement read:
The GMB wishes to advise all farmers that maize, soya beans, wheat and barley are controlled products in terms of the following Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instrument 145 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Maize) Regulations, 2019 Statutory Instrument 97 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Soya Beans) Regulations, 2021, Statutory Instrument 188 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Wheat and Barley) Regulations, 2021.
All farmers or producers of controlled products are required to deliver the product to any nearest GMB depot within 14 days of harvesting.
Farmers/producers, who intend to retain a portion of the product, shall apply for exemption from GMB.
GMB also warned that those who violate the regulations risk prosecution as well as losing their produce. Added the statement:
Trading in controlled products (buying or selling) without the authority of the GMB is an offence.
All storers, millers, stock feeders and any other users of controlled products are required to register with the GMB before engaging in such business.
GMB shall be enforcing the above statutory instruments to ensure compliance.
Those found in breach of the regulations risk prosecution, forfeiture of the grains and a fine three times the selling price of the controlled product.