Published: 30 June 2025

The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) have unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the agricultural sector through the rollout of a national Warehouse Receipt System (WRS). The initiative is expected to improve market efficiency, bolster food security, and provide farmers with greater access to financial services.

The WRS will specifically benefit self-financed farmers and producers not under the Presidential Input Programme (PIP) or the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) schemes. It allows these farmers to store their grain in certified warehouses and receive warehouse receipts, which can then be used to access credit, trade on the ZMX platform, or procure farming inputs.

As part of the rollout, GMB has made 10 certified warehouses available across the country. These are located in Aspindale, Concession, Banket, Chegutu, Gweru, Bulawayo, Norton, Lion's Den, Magunje, and Murehwa.

ZMX CEO Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi and GMB CEO Dr Edson Badarai, in a joint statement, said the platform represents a milestone in agricultural finance and marketing.

"This platform empowers farmers by providing options to sell immediately, access credit, or procure inputs using grain receipts as collateral," they said.

Once a farmer delivers grain to a certified warehouse, it is graded and weighed, after which a warehouse receipt is issued. This receipt acts as a security document and financial instrument, offering flexibility for farmers to either sell their grain on the ZMX auction or use it as collateral to obtain credit.

Additionally, the receipts can be used to purchase key agricultural inputs such as seed, fertiliser, and agrochemicals - streamlining the production cycle for many smallholder and commercial farmers.

To access the system, farmers are required to open a free ZMX account, which can be done via USSD, a mobile app, or the online platform. From there, deliveries to certified warehouses can be booked and receipts issued.

Authorities believe the WRS will contribute to improved grain storage, reduced post-harvest losses, enhanced price transparency, and increased liquidity for farmers. The platform is also expected to stabilise national grain supply chains and promote more predictable and competitive agricultural markets.

The initiative comes as Zimbabwe seeks to modernise its agriculture sector and create more inclusive growth opportunities for its farmers.
- the herald

You might also want to read this

• Presidential inputs recipients ordered to deliver grain to GMB
• GMB ex-employees turn on their lawyer
• GMB deliveries improve to 1,14mt
• Man in court for swindling GMB $1m in botched deal
• GMB forecasts decent deliveries
• 'GMB mansions' raise eyebrows
• GMB eating our lunch, NatFoods complains
• GMB bosses grilled over questionable appointments
• Parly queries GMB boss appointment