Debra Matabvu and Edgar Vhera

Marketing arrangements for the 2026 grain selling season, which begins today, have been approved by Government, with five marketing categories introduced to broaden market access and improve returns for farmers across the country.

The framework is designed to accommodate farmers using different production models, with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) buying grain produced under the climate‑proofed Presidential Input Scheme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, where inputs are supplied by Government and farmers must sell surpluses to the GMB.

Farmers under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme will sell grain at agreed prices, while self‑financed farmers can sell to the most competitive market available.

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) will sell grain to the GMB to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve, with surplus volumes channelled to the best available markets. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) will provide a warehouse receipt system and support commodity trading through its market platform.

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the arrangements are intended to provide farmers with flexible and cost‑effective marketing options, with GMB directly buying surpluses from farmers contracted under Pfumvudza/Intwasa.

He said the GMB is opening 1 804 collection points and its 89 depots across the country for collecting and storing grain and also has in‑transit storage facilities. Private sector contractors will buy grain financed under their contracts at market prices, while self‑financed farmers may sell to the market offering the best advantage.

“ARDA will sell to GMB to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve, while the balance will be sold to the best market. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange will provide a warehouse receipt system and support a market trading platform for agricultural commodities,” he said.

“This arrangement is expected to provide convenience and cost‑effective marketing options to farmers and private players. GMB will also provide an in‑transit storage facility to enhance grain imports and support overall moderation of consumer prices across the country.”

Dr Soda added that national silo storage capacity has increased from 750 000 tonnes to 862 000 tonnes following the commissioning of smart silos in Kwekwe and Mutare by President Mnangagwa last year.

Speaking during the same post‑Cabinet briefing, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said cereal prices would be determined at the opening of the marketing season today.

The GMB prices largely set the base prices that other buyers can exceed.

“The announcement will be made by GMB, hopefully tomorrow, of what they will purchase maize and other cereals and oilseeds for. That then sets the tone for the market. However, we also have the Mercantile Exchange, which is a platform introduced in 2021 and operational since 2022,” he said.

“This also provides an alternative market and price discovery mechanism for farmers. So I hope that this season the marketing will be robust and farmers will receive very fair prices and a fair return for their effort.”

Dr Masuka added, “I must also encourage farmers that if they perceive that prices from other markets are not sufficiently competitive, GMB is a buyer of last resort. We urge farmers to consider all marketing options so that they can get a fair return for their effort.”

Farmers selling to GMB will be paid within 30 days of delivery, after Government settled outstanding payments for last season’s wheat deliveries.

GMB has managed to pay 88,8 percent of the US dollar amounts and 74,8 percent of the ZiG amounts owed to farmers, with outstanding balances standing at US$4,1 million and ZiG90 million.

In an interview, GMB chief executive Dr Edison Badarai said the parastatal is ready to receive more than 862 000 tonnes of grain this season.

“As clearly indicated in National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), Government, through Treasury, has committed to paying farmers within 30 days of delivery, and this motivates them to continue working with GMB in a sustainable and long‑term partnership for mutual benefit,” he said.

Dr Badarai said GMB has made arrangements with millers and processors where it buys grain on behalf of these clients, providing a ready market for farmers. As part of its role in procuring and storing the Strategic Grain Reserve, GMB has been expanding storage capacity through the installation of the latest smart silos.

“Our silo storage capacity has increased following commissioning of the Kwekwe and Mutare Artificial Intelligence (AI)‑powered smart silos, which hold 56 000 tonnes each, bringing current silo capacity to 862 000 tonnes. The other 12 smart silos are at different stages of completion,” said Dr Badarai.