GMB clears outstanding payments for farmers

Oscar J Jeke

Maize and traditional grain farmers have received all their outstanding payments from the Grain Marketing Board, the group’s Chief Executive Officer has confirmed.

This comes as Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka had notified farmers on the delay of disbursements from the finance ministry as the cause of the outstanding United States Dollar component.

In a statement, GMB CEO Dr Edson Badarai said that farmers had forwarded their outstanding fees to their respective banks, noting that those that have not received payment should approach their respective GMB depots for resolution.

“The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise our esteemed farmers and stakeholders that payments for summer crops (maize and traditional grains) were fully paid.

“GMB urges farmers whose payments have not been reflected in their banks to approach any nearest Depot and have their query resolved within seven days,” Dr Badarai said.

Minister Masuka had said that all the Zimbabwe dollar component payments had been fulfilled while US$34.9 million had been outstanding, with plans in place to pay the outstanding balance to farmers before the winter cropping season.

“We apologise to the nation and farmers on the delays of outstanding payments in wheat, that is the US$ component, this has been caused by delays in disbursements from treasury,” Minister Masuka said then while addressing a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare.