Government pledges swift payment to farmers, clears GMB arrears

By Staff Reporter
GOVERNMENT has committed to clearing all outstanding arrears owed to farmers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and will ensure future payments are made within one month of delivery, as part of a new economic blueprint launched recently.

This pledge is a central feature of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Government’s economic plan running from 2026 to 2030, which was officially launched by President Mnangagwa.

“To support the strategic grain reserve, prompt payments for maize deliveries to GMB will be given priority,” states the NDS2 document.

“In this regard, at the onset of NDS2, Government will clear all outstanding payments owed to farmers by the GMB and future deliveries under NDS2 will be paid within one month of delivery.”



The strategy also outlines a major transformation for the GMB, transitioning it into a national warehouse operator with secure storage facilities. A key innovation will be the introduction of a grain receipt system.

This system is designed to turn stored grain into a bankable asset, allowing farmers to use the receipts as collateral for loans. It will also enable farmers and traders to deposit grain at one GMB location and collect it from another, improving logistical flexibility.

“The new GMB grain warehousing arrangements will be underpinned by the establishment of collection points nationwide,” the document reads further. This decentralisation aims to cut transportation costs for millers and processors while improving supply chain efficiency.

To tackle huge post-harvest losses, estimated at 40 percent, the Government plans a substantial investment in modern storage. Under NDS2, 14 additional AI-powered silos will be constructed for US$500 million between 2026 and 2030.


Money
This expansion will increase national storage capacity by 1 million tonnes, bringing the total to 1,75 million tonnes. The AI technology will allow for real-time monitoring of temperature, moisture and pests to preserve grain quality.

This upgraded capacity is also intended to position Zimbabwe as a potential regional grain distribution hub.

On security of tenure and land use, during NDS2, Government will strengthen and scale up comprehensive land titling and registration systems to provide farmers with legal certainty over their holdings.

In line with the Constitution, during NDS2, the Government will give security of tenure to all beneficiaries of the land reform programme previously under the 99-year leases, offer letters and permits through issuance of bankable, registrable and transferable tenure documents.

“The programme will benefit an estimated 23 500 A2 farmers and 360 000 A1 farmers who will be issued with new tenure title deeds at a cost per hectare differentiated by agro-ecological region,” reads the document.

On agriculture, food systems and rural transformation, NDS2 places renewed emphasis on ensuring food and nutrition security, sustainable rural livelihoods and agricultural-led economic growth, through the implementation of the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, 2026-2030.

The strategy focuses on five strategic impact areas that directly align with NDS2 priorities which are, food security and sovereignty, nutrition security, improved livelihoods, agriculture-based and led economic growth and land tenure security.

“The strategy will increase national food security from 85 percent in 2025 to 90 percent by 2030 and improve nutrition to reduce stunting among children from 24 percent to 20 percent, over the NDS2 period,” the document reads.