The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Business Correspondent
FARMERS and stakeholders in the farming sector have welcomed the new maize and small grains producer prices announced last week, adding that the money will help them prepare for the next summer season.
In a statement on Thursday, that was addressed to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Secretary Dr John Basera said Cabinet approved new producer prices with effect from 21 July.
“On July 21, 2020, Cabinet approved reviewing of floor producer prices for maize and traditional grains from $12 329 per tonne and $12 865 per tonne to $16 153 and $16 856 per tonne respectively for the 2020/21 marketing season. Cabinet further approved an incentive of 30 percent on top of the reviewed producer prices. The new prices are as follows; maize $21 000 and traditional grains $21 913 per tonne,” he said.
In a telephone interview on Friday, Silo Foods Industries (SFI) managing director Mr Daniel Maregedze urged farmers to continue deliveries to enjoy the latest offer from the Government.
“We encourage farmers to deliver their grains because this is a very competitive price being paid by Government,” said Mr Maregedze.
Youth in Agriculture Apex Council Board (YAACB) national chairperson Mr John Muchenje who is a farmer based in Midlands said the increase has come at the right time as most farmers have started preparing for the next farming season.
“As a farmer this is a welcome move as it will cushion farmers since we are now preparing for the farming season. The prices of inputs have gone up and such a gesture from Government was necessary. We have been engaging them of late regarding this issue,” he said.
Mr Muchenje said youths in agriculture are faced with a challenge of land which has hindered their agricultural productivity.
“However, as a leader of YAACB we appreciate all the efforts being done by the Government to empower and equip farmers on tractors among other things but are deeply concerned about the shortage of maize in the country,” said Mr Muchenje.
YAACB Bulawayo chairperson Mrs Nonceba Mwedzi-Agwaniru who leads a 10-hectare farming initiative in Umzingwane and Woodville praised the move and urged authorities to constantly adjust the prices in line with the current exchange rate as well as trends on the international markets to preserve value for the producer and to sustain production.
“The new prices are a workable mark though farmers have to engage in production full time to enable enough supplies for millers. This will thereby ensure that maize is available and easily accessible for every citizen,” said Mrs Mwedzi-Agwaniru.
Agronomist Mr Ivan Craig said there is a need for the prices to be reviewed as per the forex auction rate. – @mthabisi_mthire.
