Online Reporter
Patience Maturure and Felistas Tavarera
Agriculture Reporters
Construction of the Grain Marketing Board Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered silo in Mvurwi has reached 52 percent completion as the Government makes strides towards national food security and climate resilience.AI-powered silos can store grain for up to five years, enhancing the country’s agricultural capabilities.
This emerged during a tour of Mvurwi Depot by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka recently.
Minister Masuka said, “With these AI-powered silos that we are building, this first phase with seven sites, we would like to see this additional storage space that will bring in a lot of innovations. Farmers can now bring in grain directly from the field,” he said.
Minister Masuka said the technology would reduce post-harvest losses and boost national food security.
“The first phase of the project includes seven sites equipped with modern facilities, including a 100-tonne per hour dryer and advanced cleaning equipment.
“We also have an innovation where these silos are all ventilated and they have AI-powered probes within them.
“It means that in the past, we used to turn the grain every month, so that you don’t get a stick burn and grain upon grain, leading to rotting and other aspects that would lead to the grain not being suitable for human consumption.
“But these are self-ventilated, the temperature is automated and everything with these modern storage systems will ensure that we will be able to store grain for at least five years before that grain,” he said.
GMB’s silos project manager, Mr Ubert Mudguwiwa, said notable progress had been made in reaching the 52 percent completion level in the main facility construction and 42 percent in ancillary structures.
“We’re ahead of schedule, expecting to finish by October and the facility will be fully equipped to handle grain processing, drying and storage, providing farmers with a comprehensive solution to retain crop quality and moisture content,” he said.
Minister Masuka also toured Usaka Farm in Mvurwi, where there is a thriving wheat crop.
He commended farmers for exceeding the target of 120 000 hectares of wheat.
This season, 121 449 hectares of wheat were planted countrywide.
“In Mashonaland Central 27 910 hectares were planted against a target of 27 000, which is a very good performance. Now the attention moves to best management practices, focusing on disease and pest control.
“Scouting must precede all that, ensuring that the fertilisers that are to be applied are applied and informed by a soil analysis.
“But importantly, ensuring that we prevent the quelea menace. Efforts are being made to prevent the quelea menace,” he said.
Usaka farm owner Mr Todd Muchoga said with 32 hectares under cultivation, the farm significantly contributed to the country’s wheat output, supporting food security objectives.
“We are expecting a bumper wheat harvest this year because of how promising our crop looks and the support we have received from the Government. We expect between 6.5 to 7 tonnes per hectare.
“The farm has capitalised on a former tobacco field now nutrient-rich, which we planted this year’s wheat crop.
“The availability of water has significantly improved and that alone gives us confidence in our yield,” he said.
