Zimbabwe Government Commits To Clearing Farmers’ Grain Marketing Board Arrears Under NDS2
The Zimbabwean Government has pledged to settle all outstanding payments owed to farmers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and ensure future payments are made within one month of grain delivery. This commitment forms a central part of the recently launched National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which outlines economic plans from 2026 to 2030 and was officially unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
As articulated in the NDS2 document, “To support the strategic grain reserve, prompt payments for maize deliveries to GMB will be given priority. In this regard, at the onset of NDS2, Government will clear all outstanding payments owed to farmers by the GMB and future deliveries under NDS2 will be paid within one month of delivery.”
The strategy anticipates a transformative overhaul of the GMB’s operations. It plans to transition the GMB from a grain purchasing agency into a national warehouse operator with a network of secure storage facilities across Zimbabwe. This change includes the introduction of a grain receipt system, an innovative approach designed to turn stored grain into a bankable asset. Through this system, farmers will be able to use grain receipts as collateral to secure loans, boosting access to credit.
Furthermore, the grain receipt system will facilitate greater logistical flexibility by enabling farmers and traders to deposit grain at one GMB location and collect it at another. The NDS2 document elaborates, “The new GMB grain warehousing arrangements will be underpinned by the establishment of collection points nationwide,” a decentralisation effort intended to reduce transportation costs for millers and processors while improving supply chain efficiency.
Addressing the issue of post-harvest losses — currently estimated at a staggering 40 percent — the Government intends a major investment in modern storage infrastructure. Over the course of NDS2 (2026–2030), 14 additional AI-powered silos will be constructed at an expected cost of US$500 million. This expansion will increase national storage capacity by 1 million tonnes, bringing the total to 1.75 million tonnes.
These silos will incorporate cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology for real-time monitoring of critical parameters such as temperature, moisture, and pest presence, thereby preserving grain quality and reducing losses. This upgraded storage capacity also aims to position Zimbabwe as a potential regional grain distribution hub, a strategic ambition aligned with boosting regional food security.
A pivotal element of NDS2 focuses on land tenure security and use. The Government will strengthen and expand comprehensive land titling and registration systems to provide farmers with legal certainty over their holdings. This move is designed to support agricultural investment and promote sustainable land use.
In alignment with the Constitution, NDS2 commits to granting security of tenure to all beneficiaries of the land reform programme who previously held 99-year leases, offer letters, or permits. These beneficiaries will receive bankable, registrable, and transferable tenure documents. The programme is expected to benefit approximately 23,500 A2 farmers and 360,000 A1 farmers. New tenure title deeds will be issued at a cost-per-hectare rate differentiated by agro-ecological region.
On agricultural production, food systems, and rural development, NDS2 emphasises food and nutrition security alongside sustainable rural livelihoods and agriculture-led economic growth. The National Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (2026-2030) underpins these objectives, focusing on five strategic impact areas directly aligned with NDS2 priorities: food security and sovereignty, nutrition security, improved livelihoods, agriculture-based economic growth, and land tenure security.
The NDS2 document sets ambitious targets, aiming to raise Zimbabwe’s national food security level from 85 percent in 2025 to 90 percent by 2030. It further seeks to improve nutrition by reducing stunting among children from 24 percent to 20 percent over the same period.
Zimbabwean farmers like Mr. Tendai Chikodzi from Masvingo Province exemplify the potential impact of these initiatives. Having struggled with delayed payments and inefficient storage facilities, Mr. Chikodzi welcomes the government’s plan to clear GMB arrears and modernise grain storage. “Prompt payments will enable us to reinvest in our farms without delay, and the new storage silos will protect our harvests from spoilage,” he said.
The plan also opens new opportunities for women and youth in agriculture. By converting grain into bankable assets, smallholder farmers can access financing more easily, empowering youth-led agribusinesses and women farmers who traditionally face credit constraints. This approach is fully aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) objective of inclusive growth and rural development.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s NDS2 represents a vibrant and optimistic blueprint for the future of agriculture. By tackling payment delays, modernising storage infrastructure with AI, securing land tenure, and strengthening food systems, Zimbabwe is set to boost productivity, support farmers, and position itself as a regional leader in grain distribution. This strategy promises not only enhanced food security but also greater economic opportunities for women, youth, and rural communities across the nation.
FFA Explainer Box:
Grain Receipt System: A system that issues a document (receipt) to farmers when they deposit grain in storage, allowing that receipt to be used as collateral for loans, facilitating access to credit.
AI-Powered Silos: Grain storage facilities equipped with artificial intelligence sensors and systems that monitor conditions like temperature and moisture in real-time, preventing spoilage and improving quality.
Security of Tenure: Legal assurance protecting farmers’ rights to use and manage their land, critical for encouraging investment and sustainable farming.
Post-Harvest Losses: The amount or percentage of harvested crops lost due to poor storage, handling, or pests before they reach the market or consumers.
For further details on Zimbabwe’s NDS2 and the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, readers can access official government publications at Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
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