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.
