New committee to steer wheat contract farming

THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has appointed a technical committee to spearhead winter wheat contract farming for the next three years.

The National Wheat Contract Farming Committee (NWCFC) is a private sector response mechanism to pleas by Government for industry to support contracting farming.

NWCFC will be chaired by GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara, deputised by Graeme Murdoch of Paper Hall Investment.

Other members include Bruce Mawere, Shadreck Makombe, Walter Chigodora, Keith Ball, Prosper Chiyanike, Exodus Donzvambeva, Andy Pascoe, Adrian Carbutt, Johnson Mahanya Brendan Smyth and Roopak Branda Holland.

GMAZ general manager Mrs Lynette Veremu said the committee was expected to promote and expand contract wheat farming activities in all suitable farming districts in Zimbabwe.

“The committee will be charged with responsibility to mobilise inputs and machinery for the production of at least 150 000 metric tonnes of wheat valued at USD$80 million and this is to include attracting new investment locally and abroad,” she said.

“To craft a legally binding generic contract farming agreement that is viable, fair and justifiable, to lobby for alignment of some statutory regulations so that they, inter alia, incentivise contract farming, deter and discourage side marketing and inputs abuse.

“The committee is expected to design, promote and supervise agro extension services for contracted farmers and also to negotiate with government and farmers unions on wheat producer prices and subsidies.”