Paul Nyathi|GOVERNMENT has withdrawn orders issued three months ago banning the private transportation of grain within the country.

The flip flopping government gave the greenlight to individuals and corporates with free funds to import any quantities of grain into the country to complement Treasury efforts in ensuring adequate food reserves.

Minister Shiri revealed the new guidelines while responding to questions during a Senate sitting session in Harare last week.

This was after MDC Senator Elias Mudzuri had sought clarity on Government policy regarding sustainability of small stock industries such as piggery and poultry.

Just three months ago, government announced new regulations banning private sales and requiring all maize to be sold to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), in a move that was designed to try and control prices of mealie-meal.

The regulations, published under Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019, also banned the transportation of more than five bags of maize except when making deliveries to the GMB.

According to the SI, the export of maize was to be the preserve of the GMB and the police were empowered to seize maize where breaches occurred, with individuals falling foul of the new legal requirements facing up to two years in prison.

The SI gave the GMB the power to reject any maize delivered by a person other than a producer or a contractor.

“No person or statutory body or company or entity shall sell or otherwise acquire any maize from any farmer or producer other than through the GMB,” the regulations read.

“A person who acquires any maize for use as seed shall not use or dispose of that maize for any other purpose unless with written permission of the GMB.”

The SI also said only five bags of maize with a weight of 50kg or less each could be transported from one province to another, except when making a delivery to the GMB.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister, Retired Air Chief Marshall Perrance Shiri, announced dumping of these regulations saying that those intending to import grain can obtain the required licensing from relevant authorities.

“All those who want to import grain are free to do so, be it for domestic consumption or resale. It is up to the individual. Import licences can be secured from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. There is no limit to the amount of grain you can import into the country,” he said.

“One will actually be complementing Government efforts by importing grain. If there is anyone who intends to import, they are most welcome to do so and they can approach AMA for the necessary licences.

“Licences can easily be availed so that those with free funds can actually import grain into the country.”

The country needs an estimated 800 000 tonnes of maize imports to cover the gap up to the next harvesting season.

The country, whose national grain requirements stand at 1,8 million tonnes, will be importing the bulk of the maize from Southern African countries. The National Railways of Zimbabwe has already started bringing in part of the grain consignment imported from Tanzania.

The Minister explained that all Government efforts regarding grain imports were informed by the fact that the country did not get enough cereals or grain last season due to drought, hence the need to prioritise allocations.

“As a result, Government has had to put into place arrangements for the importation of grain. The grain that is being imported shall be for human, livestock consumption and other industrial uses.

“Government is one such buyer and supplier of cereals, there is nothing which stops all other players in the industry from importing their own cereal requirements,” Minister Shiri said.

He noted that while Government was seized with grain allocations to those in critical need for human consumption, farmers could access some spoilt grain from GMB, which may not necessarily be suitable for human consumption but could be used as livestock feed.

Sen Mudzuri had argued that farmers were unable to access grain for purposes of animal feed at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots.

The Upper House discussed the urgent need to also prioritise stockfeed and noted in particular concerns over livestock death mainly in the southern parts of the country. Members suggested that Government sets aside a portion of grain reserves to assist the livestock sector, which is a critical arm of the economy.

Farmers were also urged to embark on an exercise of harvesting hay and using it to supplement the requirements of cattle feed.