By Beverly Bizeki
Farmers who received free agricultural inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme are now required to deliver 10kg of grain each to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), a move government says was aimed at boosting the country’s Strategic Grain Reserves (SGRs).
The matter was disclosed at a Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held recently where ,Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said this was meant to assist the vulnerable people in the near future.
“Every beneficiary is expected to deliver 10kg of grain be it maize or wheat and have their names recorded. In the event of a drought in the near future those who would have given back to government will be given first preference because they have kept their grains in the silos,” said Chadzamira.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, confirmed the directive, describing the grain delivery as both a ‘mandatory contribution’ and a ‘gesture of appreciation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“After the vulnerable beneficiaries got support from the President during the devastating El Niño-induced drought, they now need to deliver the 10kg (of grain) as a gesture of appreciation to His Excellency, as well as contribute to the Strategic Grain Reserve,” said Prof Jiri.
The order applies to all farmers who received Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs during the 2023–2024 farming season.
Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa was recently quoted saying the province had a surplus of grain from the 2024/2025 farming season with only one district, Chivi that will need assistance after about 10 months.
Zimbabwe currently has about 500,000 tonnes in its Strategic Grain Reserves, far below the target of 1.5 million tonnes by 2028, a goal set to cushion the country against growing threats of climate change and recurring droughts.
