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CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

CHIPINGE – Wheat farmers who delivered their crop to the Grain Marketing Board last year will start to receive their payments this week, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Prof Obert Jiri has said.
He said this to farmers during a wheat seminar workshop in Chipinge.
The country realised record wheat harvest of over 262 0000 metric tonnes from 91 000 hectares that went under the crop last year.
Prof Jiri said the Ministry had a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and it was agreed that US$4,6 million will be released to pay the first batch of farmers.
“The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has released money for wheat farmers who delivered their wheat to GMB and the farmers will start to receive their money starting from this week.
“Another big chunk will be paid next week and all farmers will be paid before monthend and that is the commitment from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development,” he said.
The Ministry and other stakeholders are engaging to make sure that farmers are paid their dues on time.
“We know that farmers need money after selling their produce and now we are engaging with stakeholders to find better long term solutions to the issue. We are introducing a Clock Purchase Buffer funds, where we are working with the AFC bank to assist us in paying farmers money.
“The Clock Purchase Buffer Funds will be at AFC bank and we are capitalising the funds to ensure that all farmers who delivered their produces to the Grain Marketing Board are paid on time, ” he said.