Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
IT is a historic moment in Kwekwe today as hundreds of farmers and dignitaries gathered to witness President Mnangagwa commission the country’s first-ever AI-powered grain silos at the Grain Marketing Board depot.
The 56 000-tonne ultra-modern facility, boasting seven sleek silos straight out of a sci-fi flick, officially received its first wheat delivery amid cheers and applause.
The tech-savvy depot is part of the Government’s ambitious bid to modernise grain storage, crush post-harvest losses, and beef up food security, especially as the nation claws its way back from the jaws of an El Niño-induced drought that ravaged crops across southern Africa.
“These silos are not just metal towers,” said a GMB official. “They’re the future. AI will monitor grain conditions in real-time, slashing waste and saving money.”
The Kwekwe site is just one piece of a massive grain gameplay, 14 silo complexes are being rolled out in hotspots like Beitbridge, Gokwe, Masvingo, and Lupane, all targeting a national capacity of 1.5 million tonnes, double the current 750 000 tonnes.
In a district known for big harvests, including the First Family’s Pricabe Farm’s record-breaking 11.3 tonnes per hectare, the new silos are a game-changer. Local farmers previously coughed up over US$600 to haul a single 30-tonne load to Chegutu, now, storage is just around the corner.
With Zimbabwe needing over 2.2 million tonnes of grain yearly, this isn’t just steel and sensors, it’s survival tech.
Blessing Chizhande