Maize farmers across Mashonaland West are facing severe financial strain as the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has failed to pay for deliveries made earlier this year, casting a shadow over the upcoming planting season.
The payment delays, which are particularly acute in the Banket, Murombedzi, and Sanyati areas, have left farmers in a precarious position, unable to purchase critical inputs like seeds and fertilizer.
The situation raises concerns that the problem could be national in scope, jeopardising the agricultural productivity that followed a recent bumper harvest.
A farmer, who delivered five tonnes of maize to the Banket GMB depot in April, Nicholas Mayambo, voiced his frustration.
“GMB promised to pay within 14 working days, but nothing has materialized,”Mayambo said.
“It’s been months, and I’m still waiting for my money despite their repeated assurances.”
Another affected farmer from Zvimba, Lovemore Madzima, echoed similar sentiments citing lack of transparency and clear timelines from the GMB to clear the arrears.
“GMB is not being transparent about the payment process,” Madzima said.
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“With the next planting season just around the corner, we’re struggling to prepare.”
GMB's public relations manager, Nixon Kanyemba, could not provide specifics on the number of affected farmers or the total value of outstanding payments.
He later referred Standard People to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Agriculture ministry Permanent Secretary, Obert Jiri, offered vague assurances when contacted for comment.
“The farmers are being paid as when resources become available," Jiri said.
However, farmers said this does little to address their immediate financial needs.
In July, reports said the GMB recorded a 100% surge in maize intake between April 1 and July 24 this year, compared to the same period in 2024.
According to figures released by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), GMB received 23,631 tonnes of maize so far this year, up from 12,175 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister, Anxious Masuka, later said the Treasury had mobilised ZiG137 million and US$13 million to pay farmers who have delivered maize to GMB.
The parastatal was expected to begin disbursing the funds the same month.
GMB announced at the start of the 2025 marketing season that it would be buying maize and traditional grains at US$376.48 per tonne, soya bean at US$580, and sunflower at US$668.98 per tonne.
Last year, Zimbabwe was forced to import maize from South America and Asia after an El Niño-induced drought devastated harvests.
