• GMB has disbursed over US$22 million to farmers, with weekly payments continuing to clear outstanding balances
  • Zimbabwe’s Strategic Grain Reserve stands at 187,245 tonnes, including 113,751 tonnes of wheat, with the remainder comprising maize and traditional grains
  • The update comes as ZIMSTAT finalises the first round of national crop, livestock and fisheries assessments, which will guide food security planning

Harare - Zimbabwe’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has disbursed  US$22 million to farmers , as government accelerates payments for delivered grain amid a steady build-up of the country’s Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR), which now stands at 187,245 tonnes.

According to the latest update from former Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, weekly payments are continuing in a bid to clear outstanding balances owed to producers  a move that is likely to bolster farmer confidence at a time when liquidity constraints and delayed payments have historically dampened agricultural output.

Of the 187,245 tonnes currently held in the Strategic Grain Reserve, 113,751 tonnes are wheat, with the balance comprising maize and traditional grains such as sorghum and millet.

The composition of the reserve is significant. Wheat stocks are critical for Zimbabwe’s urban food security, particularly for bread production, which is highly sensitive to supply disruptions and foreign currency shortages.

Maize, meanwhile, remains the country’s staple crop, central to both rural and national food security. The inclusion of traditional grains reflects ongoing efforts to promote climate-resilient crops in the face of increasingly erratic rainfall patterns linked to climate change.

The Strategic Grain Reserve functions as a national buffer stock, designed to stabilise food supplies during droughts, market shortages, or price volatility. Maintaining adequate reserves has become even more important as Zimbabwe navigates climate shocks and broader macroeconomic pressures.

The US$22 million disbursed so far signals renewed momentum in settling farmer dues. Timely payment by the GMB has long been a sensitive issue within Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain. Delays in previous seasons often strained producers’ working capital, limiting their ability to reinvest in inputs such as seed, fertiliser, fuel and irrigation for subsequent planting cycles.

Maintaining weekly disbursements, authorities appear intent on reinforcing confidence in the state’s grain marketing framework. This is particularly important under Zimbabwe’s agricultural financing models, including contract farming and government-backed input schemes, where cash flow predictability directly influences productivity levels.

Improved payment timelines may also support broader macroeconomic stability by injecting liquidity into rural economies, stimulating demand for goods and services, and strengthening agricultural supply chains.

The update comes as the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) nears completion of the first round of crop, livestock and fisheries assessments. These surveys play a critical role in shaping policy decisions, including grain import requirements, pricing interventions and food aid planning.

The timing is notable. Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector remains highly exposed to rainfall variability, with El Niño-induced drought conditions affecting portions of the 2024/25 season. Early statistical assessments will help authorities determine yield levels, livestock conditions, and the likely trajectory of national food security over the coming months.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment and export earnings. Wheat production, in particular, has been a policy priority in recent years, with government pushing for import substitution through expanded irrigation and contract schemes.

Zimbabwe achieved record wheat harvests in recent seasons, reducing reliance on imports and easing pressure on scarce foreign currency reserves.

At the same time, the resilience of maize output remains closely tied to rainfall performance, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate strategic reserves.

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