The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has upheld the winter wheat producer price at US$450 per tonne, aligning with the previous year’s pricing structure. This move aims to incentivize wheat farmers and sustain the impressive yields achieved in recent years.
Farmers across Zimbabwe have welcomed the fixed price, noting that it meets the import parity threshold and provides an opportunity for profit, which can be reinvested into future production. This development is seen as a vital part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance wheat production and strengthen national food security.
In an effort to further boost self-sufficiency, the Zimbabwean government has set an ambitious target for 2025, aiming to plant 120,000 hectares of winter wheat. This would surpass the 2024 target of 119,954 hectares, which yielded 562,591 tonnes of wheat—well above the national requirement of 360,000 tonnes. In addition to wheat, the 2024 crop also included 6,697 hectares of barley, producing 336,120 tonnes.
The government’s focus on expanding crop production aims to reduce reliance on imports and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) President, Shaddreck Makombe, commended the US$450 per tonne price, describing it as competitive. However, he emphasized the importance of timely payments to ensure that farmers can adequately prepare for the next planting season without disruptions.
Makombe stated, “The price offered by GMB is good, especially if input prices do not go up. However, we call on the government to ensure prompt payments so our preparations are not disturbed.”
In a recent update, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Acting Chief Director, Leonard Munamati, confirmed that the government, alongside its partners, is prepared to support wheat farmers through various initiatives. These include private contractors, the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), the Presidential Wheat Support Scheme, and self-financed growers.
The GMB will purchase wheat from farmers under the Presidential Input Programme (PIP) and self-financed growers, who will have the option to sell their produce at market prices. Furthermore, the GMB will serve as a “buyer of last resort” and collaborate with the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) to offer commercial warehouse receipt services, enhancing the sector’s market infrastructure.
These initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, paving the way for increased wheat production and improved food security.
