By A Correspondent-The bankrupt Grain Marketing Board GMB has shifted from its previously announcd maize deliveries payment time-frame of processing payment within 48 hours and now says it would do the same within one week.

The shifting position was revealed by the state media on Sunday when the government propaganda weekly newspaper The Sunday Mail, was claiming that GMB was more than prepared to pay farmers who would have delivered their grain produce.

The Sunday Mail reported that the government had set aside $60 billion to ensure timely payment of farmers, with the GMB undertaking to effect payments to farmers within 72 hours of delivery.

“Farmers who deliver their grain to mobile collection points will be paid within five days”, reported Sunday Mail.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka said maize and other grain products have been declared controlled products, meaning that they can only be sold to designated buyers.

“The marketing season for maize, traditional grains and soya bean started on April 1, 2021,” said Minister Masuka.
“All the 84 GMB depots are open 7 days a week. A total of 1 389 buying points have been identified for the convenience of farmers.
“A further 400 collection points are being identified. The target is to establish 1 800 buying points countrywide, one in each ward.