Over 1 000 tonnes of maize from the 2016/17 agricultural season have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) since the beginning of the month, the State’s grain procurer has said.

Speaking at the maize value chain conference in Harare last week, GMB acting general manager, Lawrence Jasi said harvesting of crops under the 2016/2017 agriculture season began early this month and farmers under command agriculture have started deliveries to GMB.

“Farmers have started deliveries for maize for the 2016/2017 agriculture season and the deliveries began on the first of April 2017. To date, we have received a total of 1 333 tonnes of maize from farmers,” he said.

Command agriculture was launched last year under a $500 million fund. Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government is buying the maize at $390 per tonne, which is above international prices.