Online Reporter
Ray Bande-Mutare Bureau
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence-powered silos at Grain Marketing Board Mutare depot are 98 percent complete, with only exterior paving and a test run remaining ahead of their commissioning by President Mnangagwa next week.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka gave the update yesterday at an event where he was joined by Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza, the contractor and senior Government officials.
He confirmed that President Mnangagwa was expected to formally commission the silos on October 29.
“We are inspecting the Mutare AI-powered smart silos ahead of the expected commissioning by His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa in the near future, which is next Wednesday.
“These smart silos are 98 percent complete, with only paving work and a full test run pending. We anticipate a significant turnout to celebrate this transformation in the agricultural sector,” said Dr Masuka.
He also announced plans for an additional 12 AI-powered smart silo complexes to be constructed across the country over the next two years, starting with Mhangura.
“The President has directed that we establish 14 sites. He commissioned the Kwekwe silos on May 15. Mutare is next, followed by Mhangura, Mvurwi, and others. All 14 sites should be completed within two years,” he added.
The GMB Mutare Depot silos are modelled after the AI silos commissioned in Kwekwe. These modern facilities feature dust extractors and an inbuilt 100-tonne-an-hour dryer, depending on the moisture content at intake.
Each of the seven silos in the complex has a carrying capacity of 8 000 tonnes totalling 56 000 tonnes for the facility.
Completed works include the installation of the silos, the drying tower, the cooling tower, the moisture control room, the furnace room, the core warehouse, the dispatching room, and the power room.
Minister Mugadza noted that the construction of the silos supports the province’s increasing agricultural output.
“With the ongoing revamping of irrigation schemes and the construction of more dams, agricultural productivity is expected to rise, making adequate storage facilities even more critical.
“We applaud President Mnangagwa for this initiative, which will significantly contribute to food security. We anticipate a large crowd, primarily from Manicaland, to gather when the President comes to commission these silos,” he said.
