White commercial farmers in Zimbabwe who lost their land under the country’s land reform programme said that the government has failed to pay part of the $331 million in compensation while reimbursing others who were not part of the agreement.
In a joint letter addressed to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, dated December 10, 2024, the Commercial Farmers Union and the Southern African Commercial Alliance called for urgent discussions with the government.
The unions said that many of their members are now destitute and have lost their dignity due to the failure to receive compensation through the so-called Global Compensation Deal.
Under an agreement signed in 2020, the government committed to compensating approximately 4,000 White farmers whose land was seized by state-backed militants.
However, it has consistently failed to meet payment deadlines, with the total expected cost of the deal reaching US$3.5 billion over 10 years.
The ZANU PF-led government has defended the land seizures as a means to rectify colonial imbalances, despite reports that some beneficiaries are collecting rent from legitimate farmers who are working the land.
In the letter seen by <a href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2024/12/17/zimbabwe-fails-to-pay-white-farmers-who-had-land-expropriated/">Bloomberg</a> and confirmed by the Ministry of Finance, the unions wrote:
<blockquote>
The current approach risks eroding trust and undermining the structured dialogue platform’s objectives.
We urge your ministry to prioritize dialogue with the GCD signatories to develop a cohesive, homegrown solution that balances compensation with agricultural recovery.
</blockquote>
So far, 1,300 White former commercial farmers have registered to receive compensation, according to official data.
For the fiscal year that ended on March 31, Zimbabwe allocated $35 million in its budget to initiate these payments. For the current fiscal year, the government has earmarked an additional $10 million.
The African Development Bank reports that at least 439 former landowners have been identified as beneficiaries of the financial settlement totalling $331 million.
Andrew Bvumbe, the head of debt management in the finance ministry, said that the government will continue to make payments to farmers who seek compensation.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

White farmers in Zimbabwe who lost their land are not getting the compensation they were promised by the government. The farmers are very upset and want to talk to the government about it. The government said it would pay the farmers to make things right, but it keeps missing deadlines. The government thinks taking the land was a good idea to make things fair, but now it's causing problems for the farmers. Only some of the farmers have gotten compensation so far, and the government is trying to make more payments. The farmers just want the government to keep its promise and pay them.

Zimbabwean Government Fails To Pay Agreed Compensation To White 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

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 Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has assured wheat farmers of 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity starting this month, an increase from the 100 MW previously allocated for this year’s winter crop.
Sydney Gata, Executive Chairman of ZESA, announced this week that wheat farmers will be exempt from load shedding. He said:
<blockquote>
ZESA on the other hand, has been prioritizing power to the winter wheat farmers. Ring-fenced power for these farmers has been increased from 100MW to 150MW starting August 2024. The farmers therefore have been spared from load shedding, except in instances of technical faults.
Furthermore, to increase the reliability of supply, there has been a reinforcement of the network and installation of switch gear for the winter wheat farmers.
</blockquote>
Gata said as a way of improving power generation, ZESA is mobilising funds for the installation of 120MW solar plants at productive farms. He said:
<blockquote>
As a way of supporting production by farmers, farming load has been prioritised when power generation is not adequate to meet demand.
ZESA Holdings is mobilising financing for the installation of about 120MW of solar power at productive farms.
This will ease the demand from farming load on the system, and at the same time allow farmers to feedback excess energy to the grid.
</blockquote>
Gata also revealed that ZESA is currently experiencing a supply shortfall of up to 540 MW during the high-demand winter period.
The average total power supply is around 1,310 MW, while peak demand reaches 1,850 MW, leading to significant load shedding.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's electricity company, ZESA, is giving more power to wheat farmers. Instead of 100 MW, they will get 150 MW starting this month. This means they won't have to deal with power cuts, unless there are technical problems. ZESA is also working on adding solar power to help with energy needs. But overall, there is still a shortage of 540 MW during winter. The company is trying to find ways to meet the high demand for electricity in the country.

ZESA Increases Power Allocation To Wheat Farmers to 150 MW

Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Clemence Guta has said the parastatal has cleared all outstanding payments to wheat farmers for deliveries of the crop from last season after receiving over US$5 million from the Treasury this week.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 04 June 2024, Guta said the US$5.3 million payment brings total earnings by wheat farmers for last year’s crop to US$44 million. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise our valued customers and stakeholders that all outstanding payments for wheat farmers have been fully made.
The Grain Marketing Board this week received USD 5.3 million to clear all outstanding wheat payments from the last season, bringing total payments to USD 44 million.
GMB appreciates the support it received from the Treasury in mobilising financial resources and making farmer payments a top priority.
GMB recognises and values the resilience and commitment of our farmers who are spearheading the agricultural transformation agenda.
GMB assures of its commitment to continue playing a key role in national food security, especially in ensuring that farmers are paid on time.
</blockquote>
While this is a positive development, some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the delayed payments.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<div class="in_article">
<div>
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
</div>
</div>

GMB Clears Outstanding Payments To Wheat Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) on Monday, 27 May, said it had paid US$10 million to wheat farmers, bringing the payments so far to US$38.3 million.
In a statement, GMB CEO Edson Badarai said the parastatal is prioritising the clearance of the outstanding balance of US$5.3 million. He said:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board advises our esteemed farmers and stakeholders of the significant progress made in clearing wheat farmers’ payments. Today, GMB paid USD 10 million to farmers, bringing the payments so far made to USD 38.3 million.
The consistent release of funds from Treasury demonstrates Government’s commitment to its promise to support farmers; towards wheat-based food security.
In the same vein, clearance of the outstanding balance of USD 5.3 million is a top priority. GMB appreciates the dedication and resilience of our farmers, and will continue playing its key role in the agriculture transformation agenda.
</blockquote>
This comes as some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the government’s failure to pay them for wheat delivered last year.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Pays $10M To Wheat Farmers, Total Reaches $38.3M

Some wheat farmers have failed to prepare and participate in the ongoing winter wheat cropping season due to the government’s failure to pay them for wheat delivered last year.
This will likely impact negatively on the Government’s target of putting 120 000 hectares under winter wheat this season from which 600 000 tonnes are expected.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/govt-fails-to-pay-for-wheat-deliveries/">Business Weekly</a>, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said:
<blockquote>
Some farmers who should have planted wheat this season have not been able to do so because they have not been paid for deliveries made to the Grain Marketing Board last year.
Most of the farmers who are meant to be doing the winter wheat are not participating and this is likely to affect the area that the Government is targeting under the crop and the projected yield will be negatively affected.
Wheat production is a process that we think with the planting window the targeted 120 000ha was achievable or may even be surpassed, had all the traditional wheat growers participated.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) said it had paid a total of US$28.7 million to wheat farmers for the grain delivered from last year’s harvest.
GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai said that they were still mobilising funds to clear all payments to wheat farmers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB's Delayed Payments Hamper Wheat Farmers’ Winter Crop Season

The Government has reportedly failed to release funds to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to enable it to pay wheat farmers for deliveries to the parastatal.
A farmer in Banket, Mashonaland West Province, speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021385/gmb-fails-to-pay-wheat-farmers">NewsDay</a> anonymously, accused GMB of making false promises. He said:
<blockquote>
We are into the festive season and workers look forward to us paying them but GMB has not paid us.
Besides the Christmas holiday, every parent needs school fees early next year. We are not happy at all.
</blockquote>
Another farmer said that only one farmer in Karoi, also in Mash West Province, was paid recently due to pressing health issues. He said:
<blockquote>
Indeed, GMB has not paid us for the outstanding winter wheat.
Only one farmer who has health challenges was paid recently. We have failed to buy inputs for this farming season and are in a fix over the delays by GMB.
</blockquote>
However, GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai claimed that the parastatal has started paying wheat farmers. He said:
<blockquote>
On the US dollar component, the payments have been largely paid, except for US$2.8 million which will be liquidated in no time.
Winter wheat intake has also commenced with ZWL$59 million paid so far.
GMB would like to apologise for the delayed payment to our resilient and committed farmers spearheading the agriculture revolution that has seen Zimbabwe attaining food self-sufficiency.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe produced over 465 000 tonnes of wheat in the 2023 winter wheat season, thereby surpassing the previous record of 375 000 tonnes attained in 2022.
The country requires about 360 000 tonnes of wheat for national consumption annually and this year’s winter wheat crop is 100 000 tonnes more than national demand.
GMB’s failure to pay grain farmers on time may scuttle the progress the country has been making in recent years to be self-sufficient.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Fails To Pay Wheat Farmers

The Government has urged wheat farmers to speed up harvesting their crop to avoid losses from rains expected in the first week of November, reported <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-speed-up-harvesting-farmers-urged">The Sunday Mail</a>.
The Chief director (agricultural engineering, mechanisation, post-harvest agro-processing and soil conservation) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Engineer Edwin Zimunga said:
<blockquote>
We are urging all wheat farmers to expedite harvesting of their winter wheat crops by all means available.
We have created combine harvesters clusters countrywide, where farmers can access efficient service.
Farmers need to get in touch with local leadership to organise and schedule harvesting and grain drying services immediately to save the winter wheat.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe expects to harvest a record 430 000 tonnes of wheat this year at a time the annual national demand for the cereal stands at 360 000 tonnes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Urges Farmers To Expedite Wheat Harvesting

The Government says it will clear the US$14 million owed to wheat farmers for the produce delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in the next three weeks.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, John Basera said Treasury was committed to clearing the debt by mid-April.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/govt-to-clear-us14m-wheat-farmers-debt/">The Manica Post</a> reported that Basera made the pledge while addressing farmers at a Pfumvudza Field Day in Chiendambuya last week on Friday. Basera said:
<blockquote>
We have agreed with the Treasury to clear the outstanding debt of US$14 million owed to wheat farmers in the next three weeks.
By mid-April, we should have cleared it so that farmers can prepare for winter wheat cropping.
The wheat delivered to GMB was worth $39 billion and the whole amount was paid in full, leaving the USD component outstanding.
The USD component was US$31 million, and we are left with US$14 million.
</blockquote>
The government said wheat farmers were paid 30 percent of their sales proceeds in foreign currency and 70 percent in local currency.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009522/ed-demands-re-run-in-violence-hotspots">Pindula News</a>

"GMB To Clear US$14 Million Wheat Farmers Debt By Mid-April"

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has pledged to pay all wheat farmers that delivered their crop their outstanding payments in foreign currency starting this week.
To date, the government has reportedly paid up to ZWL$37 billion and US$4 million to wheat farmers, with outstanding payments now around US$26 million.
Speaking during a Green field day held in Mazowe on Friday, GMB operations director, Forward Takaendesa said:
<blockquote>
We managed to pay 67 percent in the Zim dollar component. Those with errors on their accounts and those who delivered their crop late were also affected, but we are sure that all those are going to be paid.
Efforts are being made to aggregate such amounts. We are trying our best. By next week, we are sure that we are going to pay our farmers in US dollars.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Depinah Nkomo urged GMB to expeditiously pay farmers early to enable them to plan.
GMB is paying ZWL$268 048 plus US$220 for a tonne of premium grade, while standard grade receives $243 680 plus US$200 per tonne.
Last season wheat farmers produced more than 380 000 tonnes. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/wheat-farmers-to-start-getting-their-balances-this-week/">The Herald</a>

GMB Pledges To Pay US$26 Million Owed To Wheat Farmers Soon

Wheat farmers are accusing the government of abandoning them and leaving them at the mercy of “unscrupulous” millers and contractors.
The government set the producer price of wheat at US$620 per tonne for the ordinary grade but millers and contractors are reportedly offering them between US$450 and US$500 per tonne.
A farmer who refused to be named told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200004379/wheat-farmers-cry-foul-over-price">NewsDay</a> that the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is not buying wheat but has only offered storage facilities to the wheat farmers. Said the farmer:
<blockquote>
Government said the producer must be paid US$620, but it is only on paper. GMB said it is not buying any wheat and the millers are offering way below the stipulated prices.
The bumper harvest that we experienced is now a curse and most farmers have vowed not to plant wheat again next year.
</blockquote>
A representative from one of the millers’ associations said the government announced the new producer prices without consulting them. Said the representative:
<blockquote>
The US$500 is the indicative price. The problem with our government is that it just announces the price without consulting.
Sometimes it becomes cheaper to import wheat of high quality than to buy it locally.
The other thing is that most of the wheat farmers are contracted. They have a prior arrangement with their contractors which stipulates the amount of money they are getting paid.
</blockquote>

Grain Millers Buying Wheat Below Stipulated Price - Farmers

The government says the country will attain wheat self-sufficiency this year for the first time in almost two decades.
Zimbabwe consumes about 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually but the country has been importing the grain due to depressed local production.
The country expects to harvest 380 000 tonnes of wheat this year against an annual consumption of about 360 000 tonnes, generating a 20 000 tonnes surplus.
Addressing the media in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the country is expecting “a bumper harvest” from the 2022 winter wheat crop. She said:
<blockquote>
For the first time in our country since 2004, we have never had such a bumper harvest of wheat. We are looking at high yields.
We are not yet looking at exporting but we are happy that what we are producing this year will cover more than a year of consumption. That is good.
We will also have some in reserve but the issue of export is not yet discussed. We don’t need to import wheat.
</blockquote>
Wheat is grown entirely under irrigation during the winter season in Zimbabwe.
In 2022 more than 80 000 hectares of agricultural land was put under wheat production nationwide, with many new farmers venturing into the sector. | <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/zimbabwe-expects-to-be-wheat-self-sufficient-for-first-time-since-2004/">SABC News</a>

Zimbabwe Expects "Bumper Harvest" Of Wheat

Some Zimbabwean wheat farmers have welcomed the producer price for wheat for the 2018/19 farming season.
The government has set the price at $630 per tonne. Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) director Paul Zakariya said
<blockquote>Any upward adjustment of producer prices at the moment is welcome. What needs to be further interrogated is the extent to which such adjustments may go.
Obviously, the issue of prices in the country has become very topical. It is, however, important to ensure enterprise viability by tracking the costs of production. While this is being assessed, farmers are advised to maximise yields per unit area. Some level of comfort can be derived from that.</blockquote>
However, Federation of Farmers’ Unions chairman Mr Wonder Chabikwa said that the new price does not meet the farmers’ expectations. He said
<blockquote>Judging from farmers’ expectations of $800 per tonne, it appears this price falls short of the desired increased production. Import parity and cost of production from those sources need to be looked at.</blockquote>
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