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The amount of maize in the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos has dropped significantly, raising concerns about food security in Zimbabwe, <a href="https://cite.org.zw/sharp-decline-in-gmb-maize-stocks-raises-food-security-fears/">reported CITE</a>.
A recent report by the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development states that Zimbabwe’s food security is worsening due to maize shortages and agricultural instability, worsened by a drought caused by El Niño.
The government’s heavy reliance on the private sector for maize supplies, intended to diversify the supply chain, has led to a decrease in available maize.
The committee also reported that Silo Foods Industries, a major food processor in Zimbabwe, is facing serious maize shortages because the GMB is not meeting its supply targets.
In December 2023, Silo received only 1,934 metric tonnes of maize from the GMB, far below its monthly target of 8,000 metric tonnes. Said the committee:
<blockquote>
The statistics presented highlighted the severity of the situation, with Silo Food Industries receiving only 1 934 metric tonnes of maize from the GMB in December 2023, 3 460 metric tonnes in January 2024, and 1 267 metric tonnes in February 2024, against a target of 8 000 metric tonnes per month.
This resulted in a significant shortfall of 3 339 metric tonnes (42 per cent of the target) which underscored the urgent need for action to address the food shortages and prevent the situation from worsening.
</blockquote>
The committee pointed out that the private sector, especially millers and large traders, has been hesitant to sell their maize to the GMB, which is in charge of managing the country’s emergency grain supply. Says the report:
<blockquote>
The private sector is not selling maize to the GMB, creating a significant gap in the maize supply chain. This over-reliance on private suppliers, especially in the midst of an El Niño-induced drought, has left the government struggling to maintain adequate food reserves.
</blockquote>
The committee also said that the government has not been able to track the maize stocks held by private traders, which could have helped in coordinating efforts and responding more quickly to the food security problem.
The inquiry also revealed that “land tenure security and the dispersed nature of smallholder farms, which hindered agricultural production and investment, contributed to a 71 per cent shortfall in maize supply compared to the target.”
Farmers have faced financial struggles because the GMB has been slow to make payments, sometimes taking months to process them.
The committee said selling to the GMB has become too complicated due to issues like red tape, unclear rules, and logistical challenges.
They also pointed out that allowing the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) to play a bigger role in the maize supply chain has led to less maize being available for the GMB, making the food security problem worse.
Additionally, the committee expressed concerns about GMAZ importing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for human consumption.
The committee has called for a complete review of the government’s agricultural policies, suggesting improvements in the GMB’s operations, better coordination with private traders, and better irrigation systems.
To prepare the report, the committee held meetings with key stakeholders like the GMB, Silo Foods Industry, GMAZ, and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
They also visited several GMB depots in Aspindale, Norton, Chegutu, Lion’s Den, Banket, and Chinhoyi.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The amount of maize in Zimbabwe's grain silos is low, causing concerns about food security. The shortage is worsened by a drought. The government relies heavily on the private sector for maize, but this has led to a decrease in available maize. Major food processors, like Silo Foods Industries, are facing shortages because the government is not supplying enough maize. The private sector is not selling maize to the government, making the situation worse. The government needs to review its policies and improve coordination with private traders to address the food security problem.

Sharp Decline In Maize Supplies at GMB Raises Alarm

Farmers have welcomed the new producer prices for wheat, set at US$450 per tonne for standard grade and US$470 for premium grade, with payments made exclusively in United States dollars.
During the 2023 winter wheat season, farmers received US$440 per tonne, with payments split 75% in US dollars and 25% in Zimbabwe dollars at the prevailing interbank rate.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/farmers-upbeat-over-govts-new-wheat-producer-prices">The Sunday Mail</a> on Saturday, Grain Marketing Board (GMB) CEO Edson Badarai explained that this decision aims to boost production and productivity. He stated:
<blockquote>
After extensive consultations with all stakeholders, the parastatal decided to pay farmers exclusively in USD to encourage production. In addition to the base price, we have introduced a US$20 incentive for premium-grade wheat. These measures are part of our efforts to ensure food security every day, everywhere.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union President Shadreck Makombe expressed gratitude for the government’s responsiveness to their concerns, saying:
<blockquote>
We should give credit where it’s due. We obtain loans in foreign currency, and it has been challenging to repay them using local currency. We presented our grievances, and the government acted on them.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Farmers Union President Monica Chinamasa said that “farmers are pleased with how the season is progressing,” as Zimbabwe is projected to achieve a record harvest of 600,000 tonnes of wheat, surpassing last season’s record of 468,000 tonnes.
However, the tonnage figures declared by authorities have often faced criticism. The government would a surplus, stating that silos are overflowing with grain, while grain millers continue to import hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes to meet local demand.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Farmers are happy because they are now getting more money for their wheat. The new prices are $450 for standard grade and $470 for premium grade, all in US dollars. Last year, they only got $440 per tonne. This change will help them produce more. The government listened to their concerns and now they are doing better. They are expected to produce a lot more wheat this year, but some people are not sure about the numbers. Overall, farmers are happy with the new prices and hope to have a successful season.

Farmers Rejoice Over New Wheat Producer Prices

The government has said price guidelines for contracted farmers are not a form of price control, as the private sector will ultimately determine the prices based on supply and demand dynamics.
During a question and answer session in the National Assembly, Vangelis Peter Haritatos, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, clarified the government’s position.
He explained that the prices announced by the government are the rates that will be used by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) when purchasing produce from the contracted farmers.
The Deputy Minister asserted that the private sector will still have the flexibility to set prices that align with market conditions of supply and demand. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200029442/govt-to-set-price-guidelines-for-farmers">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
We are not about setting price controls or anything to that effect. What we do, essentially, we announce a price for whatever is contracted to the government.
So, when we talk of the Presidential Input Programme or National Agricultural Programme, these are related to the government.
For us, we feel it is right to announce pre-planting prices as well as producer prices so that at least our farmers understand before they even go into that crop.
During price guideline implementation will bring [together] all stakeholders, farmers, input suppliers and also contractors.
We are the buyers of grain. We need to announce the prices and the hope is that consumers and the public take that as a guiding price so that our farmers can get similar prices.
</blockquote>
Last month, GMB announced a new payment structure for grains, which will see farmers receive US dollar payments upon delivery of their produce.
As reported by <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/gmb-announces-new-producer-prices">The Sunday Mail</a>, maize and traditional grains will fetch US$390 per tonne, with sunflower seeds earning US$713 per tonne, up from US$696.
The producer price for soya beans has been set at US$620 per tonne, up from US$580.
In the past, GMB paid farmers a mixture of US dollars and local currency for their crops.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government has set price guidelines for farmers who have contracts, but this is not controlling the prices. The private sector will still decide the prices based on supply and demand. The government is only announcing the prices that will be used by the Grain Marketing Board when buying crops from contracted farmers. Farmers will still have the flexibility to set their own prices according to market conditions. Recently, GMB announced new payment rates for different grains, with farmers now receiving payments in US dollars upon delivery. In the past, farmers were paid in a mix of US dollars and local currency.

Government Says Price Guidelines For Contracted Farmers Not Price Control

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) said this week, a payment of US$3.29 million was made to farmers who delivered maize and other grains from 01 April 2024.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 13, GMB chief executive officer Edson Badarai urged farmers to deliver maize and other grains to GMB, saying payment will be made within 21 days.
GMB is currently paying US$390 for a tonne of maize and traditional grains, with no ZiG component.
The USD component for a tonne of sunflower is US$418 and the ZiG component is equivalent is US$278, to give a total of US$696.
For a tonne of soya beans, the USD component is US$348, while the ZiG component is equivalent to US$232, to give a total of US$580.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Pledges To Pay Maize Farmers Within 21 Days

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development has reported that this year’s maize harvest will be 70% smaller than the previous season due to severe drought damage.
As per the Ministry’s outlook report, Zimbabwe’s maize production is projected to reach approximately 696,116 tonnes, a significant decline from the estimated 2.3 million tonnes for 2023.
 <a href="https://newzwire.live/report-zimbabwe-expects-maize-harvest-to-fall-70-to-lowest-levels-in-nearly-a-decade/">newZWire</a> highlights that this year’s harvest would be the smallest since 2016 when Zimbabwe managed to produce only 512,000 tonnes of maize.
An earlier report by the government last week said maize hectarage fell by 12% this season as farmers planted less. Said the Lands Ministry:
<blockquote>
The Government should aim to close the gap of 318,723 tonnes while the private sector can import as much as they want.
Combining maize, traditional grains and wheat, the strategic grain reserve is 434,293 tonnes excluding the Russia donation to the President of 25,000 tonnes.
</blockquote>
In 2023, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East produced the most maize. This year, farmers in these two traditionally strong farm provinces were hit by low rainfall. The assessment says the Midlands will have the biggest harvest.
Mash West is projected to produce 290,005 tonnes, down from 523,023 last year. Mash East’s harvest is expected at 225,675 tonnes, from 415,574 tonnes last year.
Midlands will produce 381,056 tonnes, compared to 414,249 tonnes in 2023. The projection for Mashonaland Central is 207,966 tonnes from 342,249 tonnes.
Among the hardest hit provinces is Mat North, where the area planted under maize fell by 30%; the province will produce 95,726 tonnes this year after it performed better than expected last year with 82,739 tonnes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe’s Maize Harvest To Plummet 70% In Nearly A Decade

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says the country has only four months’ supply of grain left in reserve.
GMB acting operations director, Clemence Guta, told parliamentarians this week that the current quantity of grain stocks held in the reserves was 156 681 metric tonnes (mt) of maize, 45 959mt of traditional grains and 247 578mt of wheat. Said Guta, as quoted by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/grain-stocks-deplete-gmb-left-with-four-months-supply/">Business Times</a>:
<blockquote>
An estimate of the projected grain requirements for the year 2024 and the anticipated consumption levels by various sectors such as food processing industries, livestock feed and human consumption national requirement for maize and traditional grains is 2 200 000mt for both humans and livestock, milling industry 45 000mt per month and livestock feed 30 000mt per month.
The available maize and traditional grains at GMB are primarily targeted to benefit the vulnerable households under social welfare.
As for grain stocks, we are left with approximately four months’ supply. The GMB will import to augment the available stocks targeting vulnerable households.
</blockquote>
He said private players have imported more than 300 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat over the past ten months. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
Grain processors have also been allowed to import grain for processing such that a total of 310 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat were imported into the country from 1 April 2023 to date.
GMB only managed to sell the following quantities of grain to processors during the period 1 April 2023 to date: 155 000mt maize, traditional grains 10 800mt and 32 500mt of wheat.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances affecting grain production such as adverse weather conditions or crop diseases, contingency measures are in place to mitigate any potential shortages and ensure food security.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a prolonged drought which has been attributed to El Nino.
The 2023/24 summer cropping season has been poor due to late and erratic rains coupled with an acute shortage of fertiliser in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Left With Four Month Supply Of Grain

The Government says the country has enough maize in stock amid fears of a shortage of the staple due to the El Nino-induced drought.
Parts of the southern African region including Zimbabwe are expected to receive normal to below-normal rains during the 2023/24 summer rainfall season which will likely negatively affect food supplies.
Speaking during a tour of the National Foods Holdings Limited facilities in Harare on Tuesday, 09 January, Lands and Agriculture Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the country has adequate grain in stock. He said (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021882/zim-has-enough-maize-govt">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
As a nation, we have adequate stocks at the Grain Marketing Board. Monthly we consume about 70 000-75 000 tonnes of maize.
… National Foods purchased a pasta plant from Italy that produces two tonnes of pasta per hour.
It has increased the availability of commodities.
</blockquote>
National Foods chief executive officer, Mike Lashbook said:
<blockquote>
As a group, the volume (of mealie-meal) is about 50 000 tonnes per month, depending on the year; it is between 500 000 and 600 000 per product.
The first and biggest on our portfolio is stock feeds, the second biggest is flour and the third biggest is mealie-meal, although it depends on the season.
</blockquote>
In September 2023, the Government granted private companies the green light to import maize without paying duty to ensure an adequate supply of food in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has Enough Maize In Stock - Haritatos

The Government says the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, enough to last 10 months.
In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere said that as of 10 December 2023, GMB had in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, comprising 188 353 tonnes of maize and 46 742 tonnes of traditional grains. He said:
<blockquote>
At the prevailing monthly consumption rate of 23 000 tonnes per month, the available grain will last 10.2 months.
</blockquote>
Muswere said the country’s current wheat stocks stand at 242 508 tonnes sufficient to provide 11.5 months of cover.
He said GMB has a 46.8 per cent market share of maize, 7.3 per cent of soya bean, 41.3 per cent of sunflower, wheat 46 per cent, and 63.6 per cent of traditional grains, translating to 39.4 per cent share of the total marketed crop.
Muswere said 227.5 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$1.196 billion have been exported at an average price of US$526 per kg.
Last year, 182 million kilogrammes worth US$880.677 million were exported at US$4.83 per kg.
He said more than 85 295 tonnes of graded cotton have been delivered across the nation as of 06 December compared to 55 927 tonnes at the same time in 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Grain Stock Enough To Last 10 Months - Govt

The government says the country has sufficient maize and small grains stocks that are expected to last until next season.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the current stock stands at 204 084 metric tonnes of maize and 41 464 metric tonnes (mt) of traditional grains. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that as at 9 July, 2023, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had in stock a total of 204 084 mt of maize and 41 464 mt of traditional grains.
Millers and stock-feed manufacturers are being allocated 27 000 mt, SILO Foods 16 000 mt per month, and an additional 10 000 mt will be sold to Rwanda.
</blockquote>
Regarding wheat, Mutsvangwa said the country’s current stocks stood at 140 029 mt, which is sufficient to provide eight months’ cover, as the monthly allocation stands at 21 000 mt. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to highlight that 69.8 percent of the country’s wheat is being produced by A1 farmers. The nation is informed that a record 86 466 hectares have been put under wheat compared to 80 882 hectares last year.
The area planted is 14.5 percent above the initial target of 85 000 hectares, and 96 percent of the revised target of 90 000 hectares.
The bulk of the planted wheat or 69.8 percent is by resettled farmers (A1 and A2), while the communal farmers contributed 6.95 percent.
The bulk of the planted wheat is now at the vegetative stage and is in good condition. Quelea bird control activities are underway, including the aerial spraying of nesting points using drones. The required pesticides are also readily available.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa also said Cabinet deliberated at length on the importance of paying farmers on time for the delivery of all crops.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has Sufficient Grain Reserves - Govt

Climate change has forced some subsistence farmers in Zimbabwe to abandon maize for traditional grains such as millet.
Jestina Nyamukunguvengu, from Rushinga District in Mashonaland Central Province, told <a href="https://www.africanews.com/2023/02/09/millet-is-the-new-maize-as-food-insecurity-piles-pressure//">africanews</a> she is confident of a bumper harvest after planting millet on her two-hectare plot where she used to grow maize. She said:
<blockquote>
We grew up farming millet, but we stopped it years back. The maize we adopted as our staple food, it needs a lot of water, so, we have returned to millet.
They are laborious to grow, and the work is hard, but it is worth it. It’s better to endure the pain because many people are surviving.
</blockquote>
Another Zimbabwean farmer, Maria Chagwena, said growing millet has enabled her to send her children to school. She said:
<blockquote>
I got a lot of money from millet farming, I even use the money to take my children to school, buy food and even build my house.
Recently I bought my roofing sheets for my house using the money I made from small grains after the WFP bought my millet.
I was so happy, and I can tell you I will never leave millet farming.
</blockquote>
These farmers are on the front lines of a project proposed by India that has led the U.N.’s Food and Agricultural Organisation to name 2023 as “The Year of Millets.”
In Rushinga District, land under millet reportedly almost tripled over the past decade.
The U.N.’s World Food Programme trained 63 000 small-scale farmers in drought-prone areas in the previous season and also deployed dozens of threshing machines and gave seed packs to the farmers.
Melody Tsoriyo, the district’s agronomist, said the growing of millet has improved food security for villagers. She said:
<blockquote>
You’ll find the ones who grew maize are the ones who are seeking food assistance, and those who have grown sorghum or pearl millet are still eating their small grains.
</blockquote>
WFP spokesman Tatenda Macheka said millets “are helping us reduce food insecurity” in Zimbabwe.

"Millet Is The New Maize In Zimbabwe" As Food Insecurity Piles Pressure

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) owes farmers US$27 million for grain deliveries and has so far paid all farmers the Zimbabwe dollar component of the payments.
This was said by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka after a tour of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Matabeleland North Province last week.
Masuka assured farmers that the government will soon release the foreign currency so that they get their money. He said:
<blockquote>
The GMB owes farmers US$27 million. But they have paid all the Zimbabwe dollars.
So, if you have received the Zimbabwe dollars that’s fine. We will be paying the US dollars soon.
</blockquote>
The chairperson of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme Douglas Khumalo said each farmer at the irrigation scheme is supposed to receive US$370 adding to the $500 000 that has been paid. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/gmb-to-start-paying-farmers-for-grain-deliveries/">Chronicle</a>

Grain Farmers Owed US$27 Million By GMB

The government has urged farmers in drier regions of the country to grow small grains that are more drought-tolerant instead of maize.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, said farmers in regions 4 and 5 should not grow maize unless they are doing it under irrigation.
Masuka assured farmers that they will be allowed to exchange their small grains for maize at their nearest Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot.
He was speaking at the handover of plots to farmers who were displaced when Greenfuel took over the ARDA estate in Chisumbanje, on the back of a joint venture agreement around 2009. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
We know people like maize sadza. When we say farmers should not grow it unless their conditions permit, we are not saying they should forgo eating maize.
We have come up with a plan, in which farmers will take their sorghum to their nearest GMB (Grain Marketing Board) and for every bucket of sorghum, millet, or rapoko, they will get one bucket and a gallon of maize.
</blockquote>
He added that the government has put in place a system to ensure that the grain swaps are done at every GMB depot in the country. | <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-govt-introduces-grain-swap-facility-as-efforts-to-push-up-small-grains-adoption-intensity">The Sunday Mail</a>

Govt Introduces Grain Swap Facility To Encourage Production Of Small Grains

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has said it has paid ZWL$6.56 billion and US$10.5 million for grain deliveries made by farmers.
GMB chief executive Rockie Mutenha told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gmb-pays-6bn-us11m-to-farmers/">The Herald</a> that nearly 128 000 tonnes of maize have been delivered, but more farmers were still delivering. He said:
<blockquote>
More farmers are coming to deliver their maize at our depots and we have also been making timeous payments to them.
As of September 6, we had received 127 835 tonnes of maize from farmers.
In terms of payments so far we have paid farmers an amount of $6.56 billion and US$10.5 million.
</blockquote>
Mutenha also said farmers have so far delivered 24 026 tonnes of traditional grains to GMB.
He, however, urged farmers to work together with GMB officers stationed at each depot to improve moisture content as some maize was being delivered with a lot of moisture.
GMB is paying ZWL$100 000 plus US$90 for a tonne of maize.

GMB Says It Has Paid ZWL$6 Billion, US$11 Million To Farmers

The floor producer prices of maize, soya beans, traditional grains and sunflower have been increased for this year’s marketing season.
The new producer price for maize and traditional grains is now ZWL$75 000 per tonne.
Previously, the floor producer price of maize was ZWL$58 553 while that of traditional grains was ZWL$70 263.90.
The floor producer price of soya beans has been set at ZWL$171 495, up from ZWL$125 530.17 per tonne.
The price for sunflower is now ZWL$205 794.52 a tonne, up from ZWL$150 686.20 per tonne.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, 26 April after the Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said Cabinet approved the producer prices after a presentation from Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
Cabinet noted that in order to maintain farmer viability and profitability, there is a need to review the prices for maize, traditional grains, soya beans and sunflower so that they are in sync with existing economic realities.
A good price that promotes sustainable growth of a particular value chain is that which allows the farmer to realise at least a 15 per cent profit margin.
</blockquote>
Masuka said the Government reviewed the producer prices of grains after considering global increases in fertiliser prices caused by the war in Eastern Europe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/grain-producer-prices-go-up/">The Herald</a></h4>

Grain, Soya Bean Producer Prices Go Up

The government will at the end of this month suspend grain distribution to households across the country.
This will be done to better coordinate the exercise with development partners and address double-dipping, over-feeding and channelling resources to wrong beneficiaries, a cabinet minister has said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said Cabinet resolved in its meeting of 23 February to temporarily suspend the grain distribution exercise. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>The master register from which to draw beneficiaries is not in place, as it last existed in 2015.
Currently, Government and its partners are using different beneficiary registers as opposed to using one master register.
It is in this regard that, Cabinet resolved in its meeting of 23 February 2021 that there was a need to conduct retargeting of eligible beneficiaries.
Consequently, the distribution of grain will temporarily stop as of 30 April 2021 to allow the retargeting exercise to be conducted.</blockquote>
Mavima also said the retargeting exercise will come as a way of reducing unnecessary costs and is also premised on the successful 2020-2021 cropping season.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-govt-to-temporarily-stop-grain-distribution" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Govt To Temporarily Stop Grain Distribution

Vice President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kembo_Mohadi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kembo Mohadi</a> said that the government intends to import 800 000 tonnes of grain to avert starvation as the country currently has a huge deficit.
Mohadi told a <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_African_National_Union_-_Patriotic_Front" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZANU PF</a> rally at Stanley Square in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Bulawayo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bulawayo</a> on Sunday that Zimbabwe requires at least 2 million tonnes of grain including reserves for human consumption. He said:
<blockquote>For now, we only got 700 000 tonnes of grain, which is not enough because the country needs at least 2 million tonnes of grain to feed the nation including a reserve of 500 000 tonnes. It is not enough and we intend to import more grain.</blockquote>
The grain deficit has been blamed on one of the worst droughts in living memory which affected Zimbabwe during the 2018/19 farming season.
This was exacerbated by a Tropical Cyclone, again, considered to be the worst to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere, which affected the Eastern parts of the country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-to-import-more-maize/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Chronicle</a></h4>

Govt To Import 700 000 Tonnes Of Grain - VP Mohadi

Silo Food Industries (SFI) has announced that it is now buying maize and small grains from farmers at ZW$ 2 100 per tonne.
The company said that it will be buying the grain from GMB depots throughout the country.
SFI also announced that it will with immediate effect open collection points where farmers can deliver the grain to avert transport costs.

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