Farmers welcome incentive prices,recommend timely payments
FARMERS have welcomed the recently announced wheat and maize incentive prices and called for the
timely disbursement of payments so that they effectively implement crop rotation schedules for
increased production. Maize-wheat-maize and soya bean-wheat-soya bean are the most common rotations practiced by farmers where income from one enterprise purchases inputs for the other.
Government recently announced an incentive planning price of US$440 per tonne for wheat and
US$360 for maize and sorghum and assured farmers of timeous payments for their deliveries, as the
Second Republic steps up efforts to bridge the El Nino-induced food deficits.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) secretary general, Mr Paul Zakariya yesterday said the incentive
producer prices were within reasonable range to ensure grower viability.
“What remains the major concern for wheat and maize growers is the issue of delayed payments. To
imagine that some farmers who delivered their wheat last year in November have, up till now, not
been paid, can be very discouraging,” he said.
Mr Zakariya said farmers had financial obligations throughout the year and delayed payments
resulted in them failing to service loans, maintain equipment, pay workers and purchase materials
required to keep the farms running efficiently.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is encouraged to be adequately prepared for all marketing seasons
and ensure that farmers are paid upon delivery of produce, he added.
Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA) chairman Mr Graeme Murdoch said though he had not seen
the full press release and was yet to meet the Minister, the reality was that the announced prices were
in line with import parity although growers’ major concern remained on the high cost of production.
Read more: https://www.herald.co.zw/farmers-welcome-incentive-prices-recommend-timely-payments/
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