Zimbabwe’s grain farmers are urging the government to make payments entirely in United States dollars (USD) within one week of delivery, reported <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/farmers-demand-full-us-dollar-payments/">Business Times</a>.
This request comes after the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) announced a producer price of US$335.14 per tonne.
While farmers appreciate this price, they are worried about payment delays and the use of local currency in the payment process.
Farmers have argued that many of their operational costs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals, are in US dollars.
Receiving partial payments in local currency poses difficulties, especially given its rapid depreciation.
Patrick Chiruka, a farmer from Shamva, called on the government to fulfil its commitment to USD payments. He said:
<blockquote>
What we want is to receive the full US$ 335.14 per tonne on time. Receiving part of the payment in local currency makes it difficult for us to plan our next steps. The government must honour its commitment to paying in US dollars.
</blockquote>
Goromonzi-based farmer Alfred Nyarambi said he has no use for the local currency, as he purchases all his inputs in US dollars. Added Nyarambi:
<blockquote>
All my inputs are purchased in US dollars. Paying me in local currency undermines the entire payment process, especially with the prevailing exchange rate volatility.
</blockquote>
Edward Dune, an agriculturist and former executive of the Zimbabwe National Farmers Union, said the new maize price is a positive step, aligning with global market standards.
However, he stressed that the government must ensure timely and full payments in US dollars to encourage farmers to continue selling their grain in the formal market.

Pindula News

Grain farmers in Zimbabwe want to get paid in US dollars within a week of delivering their crops. The Grain Marketing Board is offering $335.14 per tonne, but farmers are worried about delays and getting paid in local currency. They need US dollars to cover their costs for seeds and chemicals. Farmers like Patrick Chiruka and Alfred Nyarambi want the government to stick to its promise of paying in US dollars. Edward Dune, an expert, says the new price is good, but full and on-time payments in US dollars are important to keep farmers selling their grain in proper markets.

Grain Farmers Demand Full USD Payments

Members of Parliament have called on the Government to make prompt payments to farmers once they deliver their grain, to ensure they can recover their costs on time and secure inputs for the next farming season.
During a session in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Rushinga MP Tendai Nyabani (ZANU PF) said the delayed payments have led farmers to seek private buyers for their grain, resulting in side marketing. Said Nyabani:
<blockquote>
We urge government to pay farmers as soon as they receive their deliveries.
Government should fund Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry in its different programmes for prosperity.
We have seen that farmers are not putting their all because GMB delays with their payments, which in some instances take two to three years to be processed.
</blockquote>
Shamva South MP Joseph Mapika (ZANU PF) urged the government to establish a quick-response fund to address the various challenges faced by farmers. He added:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Lands should inform the citizens that most depots do not have grains as we witnessed during the committee tour.
</blockquote>
Mwenezi West MP Priscilla Moyo (ZANU PF) said that it is imperative to empower farmers for the nation’s benefit, urging the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to offer competitive prices for their produce to ensure farmers remain in business.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lawmakers want the government to pay farmers quickly for their grain so they can cover their costs and buy supplies for the next season. The delay in payments is causing farmers to sell to private buyers, which is not good. They are asking for a special fund to help farmers with their problems. It's important to support farmers so they can contribute to the country's success. The government should make sure the Grain Marketing Board pays fair prices to keep farmers in business.

Lawmakers Urge GMB To Make Prompt Payments To Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has announced that it has received US$13 million and ZiG$115 million from the Treasury to settle payments for grain delivered by farmers.
In a statement, GMB CEO Edson Badarai confirmed that the funds are already being processed for disbursement. He added:
<blockquote>
The Board sincerely appreciates farmers who continue to deliver to GMB, as well as Government, through Treasury, for release of the much needed financial resources for farmers. Treasury has committed to raise additional funds for farmers.
As the country spearheads wheat-based food security, farmers are encouraged to continue delivering wheat to GMB.
</blockquote>
In September, Badarai announced that the producer price for wheat had been set at US$450 per tonne for standard grade and US$470 per tonne for premium grade, with payments to be 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.
Since GMB will now pay wheat farmers exclusively in US dollars, it appears the ZiG$115 million allocated by the Treasury is intended to settle payments for maize and small grains delivered by farmers during the 2023/24 season.
It is concerning that farmers have had to wait so long for payment, especially considering that the 2024/25 season is already underway.
Many farmers would have relied on timely payments to purchase inputs well before the current season began.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Grain Marketing Board has received US$13 million and ZiG$115 million from the Treasury to pay farmers for their grain.
The money is already being processed for distribution to farmers.
Farmers are encouraged to keep delivering wheat to GMB for food security.
The producer price for wheat has been set at US$450 per tonne.
Payments will now be made exclusively in US dollars.
The ZiG$115 million will be used to pay for maize and small grains from the 2023/24 season.
Farmers are worried about the delay in payments as the new season has already started.
They rely on prompt payments to buy the things they need for farming.

Treasury Allocates US$13 Million And ZiG$115 Million To GMB

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>

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