Sunday Mail Reporter—
THE Grain Marketing Board has paid US$124 million to maize and wheat farmers ahead of the 2016/2017 summer cropping season. Maize farmers were paid US$82 million for the 210 278 tonnes they delivered to the utility, while winter wheat farmers received US$41,4 million for 82 828 tonnes.Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said, “Most of the farmers who delivered their grain have been paid and we are still sticking to our prices of US$500 per tonne of wheat and maize US$390 per metric tonne respectively. This is a way of encouraging farmers to deliver to the marketing board and discouraging side-marketing.”

At present, the Strategic Grain Reserve stands at 398 781 tonnes.
Under Government’s Command Agriculture Programme, 2 000 farmers are expected to produce two million tonnes of maize under 400 000 hectares as part of efforts to ensure national food security. Deputy Minister Marapira said Command Agriculture was being prioritised for the 2016/2017 season.
“In addition to Command Agriculture, contract farming is doing wonders in many places.

‘‘More firms have moved in to partner farmers to increase productivity. On the other hand, some individuals have combined resources to share risk,” he said. Meanwhile, distribution of seeds and fertilisers under the Presidential Inputs Scheme has started in eight rural provinces.
The scheme targets about 1,4 million communal farmers and vulnerable families.

Fertiliser companies have reduced prices from around US$600 per tonne to US$500 per tonne for basal fertiliser, while top dressing was reduced from around US$650 per tonne to US$550 per tonne.

The Metrological Department Services has predicted normal to above rainfall in 2016/17.