Staff Reporter
The Government has increased the producer prices for maize, traditional grains, soya bean, sunflower and cotton to ensure a 15 percent profit margin for farmers.
Speaking during the 8th Cabinet Press Briefing in the capital yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said, “Cabinet noted that in order to maintain farmer viability and profitability, there is need to review the prices for maize, traditional grains, soya bean and sunflower so that they are in sync with existing economic realities.
“A good price that promotes sustainable growth of a particular value chain is that which allows the farmer to realize at least a 15 percent profit margin. The nation is being informed that Cabinet approved as follows, that maize floor producer price be ZW$75 000.00/MT, that the traditional grains floor producer price be ZW$75 000.00/MT, that the soya bean floor producer price be set at ZW$171,495.00/MT and that the sunflower floor producer price be set at ZW$205,794.52/MT,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She proceeded to update the nation on the preparations for the 2022/2023 summer agricultural season.
Minister Mutsvangwa said, “Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that, with a view to ensuring household and national food security, the update on preparations for the 2022/2023 summer agricultural season have been brought forward from August to April, in order to deal with the perennial challenges around food security in the country.”
She added, that the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, as well as geo-political conflicts have disrupted global supply chains for grain and agricultural inputs, with the resultant price escalations highlighting the need to intensify local production.
Cabinet has directed Falcon Air, which is owned by the District Development Fund to be capacitated to conduct cloud seeding at appropriate times so as to mitigate the threat posed by dry spells at critical stages of crop development.
Meanwhile, 2021/2022 harvest has been delayed by the unexpected weather patterns as combine harvesters have failed to go into the wet fields. GMB is expecting first deliveries by end of May.
