Govt promises early wheat payments

LIVINGSTONE MARUFU

The government has promised to pay all wheat farmers on time this season, in a bid to secure the country’s grain supply and empower producers to prepare for the next planting cycle.

The pledge comes after years of delayed and, in some cases, unfulfilled payment promises that have strained farmers’ operations.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka assured growers that this year’s payments would be swift.

“The government is emphasizing timely payments to farmers to facilitate their planning for future seasons,” Dr Masuka said. “This will ensure a competitive producer price to encourage participation and reduce reliance on imports.”

Authorities are mobilising harvesters to speed up the harvesting process, drawing on resources from both the government and the private sector.

For the 2025 winter wheat season, more than 120,000 hectares were planted. The government secured and ring-fenced both power and water for irrigation to ensure steady production.

Dr Masuka emphasised that uninterrupted power and water supply were central to the strategy, while controlling quelea birds remained critical to minimising losses. The pest can destroy vast tracts of wheat if left unchecked.

Zimbabwe has exceeded its national wheat requirement of 360,000 tonnes in each of the past three seasons. This year, the target is 600,000 tonnes — a potential record harvest that could bolster food security and curb imports.

Authorities have ensured essential inputs are available through the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and the Presidential Input Scheme.

“Various input support schemes, such as the Presidential Wheat Support Scheme, self-financing models, private contractors, and the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) were implemented to assist farmers,” Dr Masuka said.

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is paying US$451.35 per metric tonne — a price set to incentivise farmers and strengthen wheat production.

Government officials believe that with timely payments, secured irrigation resources, pest control measures, and guaranteed inputs, the 2025 season could further entrench Zimbabwe’s self-sufficiency in wheat production.