GMB Clears US$4 Million Wheat Debt, Promises Faster Farmer Payments

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says it has cleared more than US$4 million owed to farmers for 2025 wheat deliveries and pledged to improve payment timelines going forward. The announcement comes as the government intensifies efforts to boost wheat production and strengthen national food security ahead of the 2026 winter cropping season.

GMB chief executive Edson Badarai said Treasury had released funding to settle all outstanding United States dollar obligations linked to last year’s wheat intake.

“The GMB is delighted to announce that it has received US$4.31 million to clear wheat deliveries United States dollar obligations, and US$0.944 million clearing current deliveries of summer cereals that were delivered from this April 2026; totalling US$5.254 million,” Badarai said.

According to the GMB, the funding package includes US$4.31 million allocated toward outstanding wheat payments and nearly US$1 million for current summer cereal deliveries made since April 2026. Badarai described the disbursement as a major relief for farmers who had waited months for payment.

“This vital funding by the Treasury brings much-needed relief to farmers. The support underscores the Government’s steadfast commitment to agriculture,” he said.

The delayed payments had raised concern among producers, particularly commercial wheat farmers who rely on timely settlement to finance inputs, fuel, labour, and irrigation costs for the next planting season.

Despite welcoming the payment clearance, farmers’ representatives warned that long payment delays remain a major threat to production confidence. Graeme Murdoch, chairperson of the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA), said it was difficult for farmers to plan effectively when payments took several months to process.

“It is good news that all outstanding wheat payments have been made, but farmers cannot confidently plant wheat if they have to wait eight months to be paid,” Murdoch said.

Agricultural analysts say cash flow remains one of the biggest challenges affecting Zimbabwe’s grain sector, especially for winter wheat production, which depends heavily on irrigation and imported inputs.

In an effort to restore confidence, the GMB says it now expects to pay farmers within 30 days of grain delivery.

“Going forward, GMB anticipates paying farmers within 30 days of delivery,” Badarai said.

The board also urged farmers participating in government-supported schemes to deliver grain through official channels.

Badarai encouraged producers benefiting from the Presidential Input Programme, the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), and ARDA-managed irrigation projects to deliver produce to GMB depots and ward-based buying points. Authorities say the strategy is critical to ensuring national grain self-sufficiency.

Zimbabwe has set an ambitious winter wheat target of 125,000 hectares for the 2026 season, with projected output expected to reach 662,500 tonnes. The country consumes approximately 360,000 tonnes of wheat annually, meaning successful production could generate a substantial surplus. The government has also introduced a pre-planting producer incentive of US$524.56 per tonne for winter wheat farmers.

Funding for the season will come through multiple channels, including:

• The climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa)

• Self-financed commercial farmers

• The National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS)

• Financing support from CBZ Holdings and AFC

• ARDA-supported irrigation schemes

• Private contractors

Agricultural economists say improving payment efficiency will be crucial if Zimbabwe hopes to maintain recent gains in wheat production and reduce reliance on imports.

GMB wheat payments