Harare (New Ziana) – Farmers who intend to deliver grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will no longer be required to produce COVID-19 vaccination certificates, government announced on Tuesday.

Farmers intending to deliver to the GMB had been placed on a high priority vaccination list along with those who operate stalls at people’s markets such as Mbare Musika, and farmers delivering to tobacco auction floors.

But government, citing grain delivery delays, has loosened the vaccination regulations it had imposed on farmers.

“Cabinet noted with concern reports of alleged delays in the delivery of grain by farmers owing to demand for vaccination certificates and directed that farmers will not be required to produce vaccination certificates when delivering maize to the GMB,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

“However they will still be required to observe all the stipulated COVID-19 regulations.”

Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said a total of 354 677 metric tonnes of maize had been delivered to the GMB since the marketing season started.

“At least 616 tonnes of wheat, 10 528 tonnes of soya bean and 34 820 tonnes of traditional grains had been delivered to the GMB as at 4 July 2021. Grain delivered to date is valued at $13 207 081 717.80 and $8 300 100 000.00 had been paid to farmers, giving an outstanding balance of $4 906 981 717.80,” she said.
New Ziana