Bikita farmers deliver more grain to GMB

Nyika (New Ziana)-Farmers in Bikita District in Masvingo are continuing to deliver more maize and other grains to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Nyika depot.

As of August 31, 2021, Nyika GMB depot had received 2881.303 metric tonnes of grain as compared to 937.836 metric tonnes that were delivered at the beginning of the month, reflecting an increase of 1943.467 metric tonnes in the past three weeks of August.

The depot has also received 143.906 tonnes of white sorghum, 15.286 tonnes of red sorghum, 9.849 tonnes of millet and 0.115 tonnes of rapoko.

At least 15.747 tonnes of Soya beans, 0.394 tonnes of sunflower and 15.079 tonnes of groundnuts have also been delivered at Nyika GMB depot.

In response to the increase in agricultural output in the district, the GMB set up mobile grain collection points.

“The mobile collection points created by GMB this season are helping to cut transport costs for farmers,” said an official.

The government launched the climate-proof Pfumvudza farming scheme last season under which small-scale farmers countrywide were given timely farming inputs to complement the already existing presidential agriculture input programme, resulting in a big boost to agricultural output this year.

Nearly three million tonnes of grains, mainly maize, is estimated to have been produced last season, which is the country’s biggest farm harvest in 20 years.

New Ziana