Maravi

(HERALD) Deliver produce to GMB, farmers told

Deliver produce to GMB, farmers told
Herald Reporter

FARMERS who received inputs under the Champion Farmer Programme should deliver their produce to the Grain Marketing Board according to their contracts or face prosecution, the Government said yesterday.

The programme’s logistics sub-committee chairman, Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba, said farmers who circumvent payment systems would be harshly dealt with.

"All contracted Champion Farmers are obliged to deliver to GMB as per contractual agreement to facilitate recovery of costs advanced to them.

"Failure to deliver to the GMB would attract very severe penalties," he said.

Government, he said, is expecting a yield of about 1,5 million tonnes of maize from farmers who received inputs under the National Food Security Programme.

Brig Gen Nyikayaramba said although the programme surpassed its targeted planting hectarage of 500 000ha, yields were affected by lack of basal and top-dressing fertilizers.

He said the high level committee of the programme, which met recently, had found that the crop situation across the country was generally good especially in Matabeleland and most parts of Mashonaland.

"A yield of 1 500 000 tonnes with expected inflows to GMB and other buyers of grain of about 400 000 to 500 000 tonnes after satisfying household food security is anticipated.

There was likely to be low inflows into GMB because of competition from private buyers like the poultry, pig industries and others.

"The GMB should put its act together through an appropriate pricing mechanism and credible payment modalities," Brig Gen Nyikayaramba said.

He said the committee also agreed on the need to put in place elaborate plans for crop harvesting, covering transportation, combining, fuel requirements and grain bags for communal farmers.

"Communal farmers are also urged to deliver their produce to GMB to facilitate recovery of cost advanced to the farmers.

"This means that the operation’s mandate would continue up to harvest period in order to see the programme through," he said.

A five-member committee chaired by Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Mr Ngoni Masoka was set up to finalise all technical details required to see the operation through to harvesting period as well as outstanding commitments and make recommendations to the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.

In line with the fiscal and monetary policy statements, there was no longer any role for the committee to play for the 2009 winter wheat programme.

"This means that wheat farmers should seriously consider other options to finance their winter wheat production.

"However, the committee noted that in the absence of a sound financial package for wheat farmers, the winter wheat season is likely to be disastrous," Brig Gen Nyikayaramba said.

Government set a target of 500 000ha for maize production while an additional 200 000ha was earmarked for small grain production.

Labels: CHAMPION FARMER PROGRAMME, DOUGLAS NYIKAYARAMBA, GRAIN MARKETING BOARD

posted by MrK @ 3:54 PM