Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development has raised the alarm over mounting payment arrears owed to farmers by key state-owned enterprises, warning that the delays threaten national food security and the upcoming 2025/26 cropping season.
Committee chairperson Saul Maburutse revealed that the Grain Marketing Board and Cottco still owe farmers over US$20 million and ZiG259.4 million for maize, wheat, and cotton deliveries. He said the backlog has eroded farmer confidence and contributed to declining deliveries across the country.
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“These persistent arrears pose a serious threat to the next planting season, risk lowering national grain reserves, and could disrupt cotton exports,” Maburutse told Parliament.
He attributed the payment delays to the absence of a structured payment framework and bottlenecks in Treasury disbursements, urging the Government to act swiftly to restore trust among farmers and stabilise the agricultural supply chain.
“The lack of a clear payment system continues to frustrate farmers who have fulfilled their obligations. It is critical that Treasury streamlines cash flow releases to ensure timely payments and maintain production momentum,” he said.
The warning comes as government prepares inputs distribution under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme ahead of the summer planting season. Analysts say delayed payments risk undermining participation in state-supported schemes and discouraging private-sector investment in primary agriculture.
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