eBusiness Weekly
Walter Nyamukondiwa in KARIBA
Government has targeted to double maize and wheat production by 2020 through continued support to the Command Agriculture programme, a Cabinet Minister has said.
The initiative, which is encapsulated in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), seeks to consolidate successes of the Command Agriculture programme that saw the country reach 1994 /5 peak production levels.
Maize and wheat production is expected to increase to 2,5 million tonnes and 400 000 tonnes respectively by 2020.
In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Vangelis Haritatos, Minister Perrance Shiri said GMB should gear up for the anticipated increase in production.
‘‘The Transitional Stabilisation Programme is underpinned by measures for continuing further stimulation of agricultural production, with a thrust for boosting farm productivity and farm yields,’’ he said.
“Maize production is targeted to increase to 2,5 million tonnes while wheat production is targeted to reach 400 000 tonnes by 2020.’’
To that end, he said GMB should move to minimise post—harvest losses particularly among smallholder farmers.
Support for Command Agriculture
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting the Command Agriculture programme covering the 2018-20 period.
‘‘Furthermore, the Government is spearheading investment in irrigation infrastructure and mechanisation of agricultural production to achieve increased productivity. These initiatives will require a GMB that is well resourced to meet the challenge,’’ he said.
He said GMB should acquire maize driers that would see even maize with moisture content of 14,5 percent being accepted from the current 12,5 percent.
This would allow farmers to deliver their crop earlier and allow smooth transition into the winter wheat crop.
The minister commended GMB for handling pressures experienced in the last two seasons when it received record deliveries.
He called on GMB to ensure that its silos were maintained to ensure that the country does not lose grain while working towards attaining Vision 2030.
With Government opening the economy to international investors, GMB should establish synergies with the private sector to fulfil its mandate of managing the strategic grain reserve.
Grain deliveries at GMB depots
GMB vice board chairman Basilio Sandamu, said the parastatal achieved the highest grain intake during the just ended five-year strategic plan.
‘‘During the five-year period under review, the GMB achieved the highest maize intake during the 2017 /18 marketing year amounting to 1,2 million tonnes while the 2018 /19 is currently at just over 1,1 million tonnes,’’ he said.
“These levels of intake were last achieved during the 1994 /95 marketing season when 1,25 million tonnes were received from local farmers.”
He revealed that Strategic Grain Reserve maize stocks reached 1,3 million tonnes in October 2018 and currently stand at 1,2 million tonnes.
Payment for grain delivered
Sandamu commended Government for providing funds to pay farmers for grain delivered with 95 percent of them having been paid so far.
To further improve payment of farmers, GMB was partially decentralising payment of farmers to depots across the country.
He, however, called on Government assistance in clearing its $17,2 million legacy debt mainly owed to workers.
However, in a the context of containing costs, Government will be implementing austerity measures to curtail unnecessary spending and TBs will this time be issued only to support budget deficit.
GMB chief executive Rockie Mutenha hailed Government for releasing more than $36 million during the 2017/18 season, which went towards acquisition of grain handling and storage resources.
The 2019-2023 Strategic Plan replaces the previous five year plan and will be tailored to fit into Vision 2030.
