GMB needs US$1m to repair strategic silos

an official has said.
GMB general manager Mr Albert Mandizha told New Ziana that their technical department had so far rehabilitated some silos and weighbridges.
“We are now sourcing more resources to carry out repairs at Aspindale and three more depots.
“A sum of US$1 million is needed,” he said.
He said five silos had already been rehabilitated.
These are Banket, Bulawayo, Concession, Chegutu and Lions Den.
Mandizha said the GMB had set up collection depots throughout the country as part of preparations for the grain-buying season.
“We are really gearing ourselves for the next buying season and as such maize bags and tarpaulins to cover the grain when it rains have been bought and most depots have received them,” he said.
He also said the board was working to build the country’s Strategic Grain Reserves.
Zimbabwe has not had an SGR for more than a decade.
“At least 55 percent of the Strategic Grain Reserves physical stocks of 500 000 tonnes has been delivered at GMB depots countrywide.
“Farmers are also still delivering their grain to the GMB,” he said.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Zimbabwe could harvest 1,7 million tonnes of maize from the 2010/2011 cropping season.
According to the first crop assessment, 2 096 034 hectares of maize were planted compared to 1,8 million ha planted over the same period in the previous season. – New Ziana.