(HERALD) Stop order facility for farmers set
Stop order facility for farmers setHerald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has introduced a stop order facility to assist wheat and maize farmers to expeditiously harvest and deliver their crops to the Grain Marketing Board. The move follows appeals by farmers’ organisations to the Ministry of Agriculture that some of their members were failing to raise enough money to hire combine harvesters.
The farmers also complained about the shortage of the machines which caused delays that resulted in wheat being exposed to rain. The farmers also reported that they were facing transport problems during a meeting held recently between farmers’ organisations and the Ministry of Agriculture.
GMB acting chief executive Retired Colonel Samuel Muvuti yesterday said the parastatal would assist farmers through payment of cash to all service providers — combine harvester owners and transport operators — on their behalf.
"GMB will assist farmers with harvesting and transport costs on a stop order facility upon the farmers’ request.
"Farmers are therefore advised to approach their nearest GMB depots with their request for such instances," Rtd Col Muvuti said.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is co-ordinating and bankrolling the facility. The money, Rtd Col Muvuti added, would be deducted from farmers’ payments upon delivery of their produce.
"Farmers have been having problems paying providers of combine harvesters and transport who demand cash upfront, so we decided to come in and assist our farmers so that they speedily harvest their crop and deliver it to the GMB," he said.
The facility is also expected to enhance agricultural produ- ction.
"The parastatal would also like to extend its most profound gratitude to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono, and his team for coming up with this payment facility.
"This will go a long way in stimulating agricultural production," said Rtd Col Muvuti.
He also said the GMB has since directed all its depots in wheat-producing areas countrywide to open 24 hours a day to allow farmers to deliver the crop at any time of the day.
He said the measure was taken in response to complaints by farmers that they were sometimes turned away due to power cuts.
GMB has, meanwhile, warned farmers against side marketing of maize and wheat.
The GMB is the sole authorised buyer of controlled crops, notably maize and wheat.
Farmers who have already delivered their produce were advised to complete wheat payment forms so that their payments can be speedily processed.
Since harvesting started in September, more than 23 000 tonnes of wheat have been delivered to the GMB and more deliveries were expected before the onset of the rainy season.
Zimbabwe is projected to harvest at least 144 870 tonnes of the cereal.
Labels: CREDIT FACILITIES, FARMERS, TRACTORISATION, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 10:01 PM
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