Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today commissioning the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered silos at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Mutare.
The project is one among several others being implemented by Government as part of broader initiatives to construct such silos at 14 sites countrywide in two years, with the first having been commissioned in May.
Join us as our team of Samuel Kadungure and Tinai Nyadzayo on the ground bring you up-to-the-minute live updates in exploring this grand event and major milestone
Scores to witness commissioning ceremony
Long queues are forming as scores of people for the commissioning of the AI-powered GMB Mutare silos by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, today
AI-driven silos a game changer in food security
Boasting seven silos, the facility has a combined capacity of over 56 000 metric tonnes and equipped with AI technology that enhances grain management to enable optimum monitoring of efficiency and quality control.
The newly completed imposing infrastructure is designed to improve national food security through increasing the country’s grain storage capacity and reducing post-harvest losses
Second Republic spearheads massive transformation
Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive Mr Edson Badarai hails President Mnangagwa’s administration for spearheading the Second Republic’s massive transformation in pursuit of Vision 2030
Second Republic spearheads massive transformation
Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive Mr Edson Badarai hails President Mnangagwa’s administration for spearheading the Second Republic’s massive transformation in pursuit of Vision 2030
Officials arrive for the ceremony
Government officials, among them, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Professor Obert Jiri as well as Mega Market managing director Mr Shiraan Ahmed have arrived at GMB Mutare
Reasons to celebrate
With food security set to improve through enhanced grain storage capacity and reduction of post-harvest losses through the commissioning of the 56 000 metric tonnes-capacity AI driven silos, some of the people gathered to witness the ceremony are celebrating through song and dance
‘Shun drug and substance abuse’
Amidst the celebrations towards attaining national food security, young people have been urged to desist from drug and substance abuse.
The scourge is negatively impacting society, as those affected grapple with the physical and psychological effects of taking drugs and dangerous substances
President Mnangagwa arrives at GMB Mutare
President Mnangagwa has arrived at GMB Mutare where he will commission the AI-driven silos.
The President was received by Cabinet Ministers and Government officials before being welcomed by scores of people gathered to witness the ceremony
Proceedings commence for the commissioning ceremony
Singing of the national anthem commences to signal the start of proceedings at GMB Mutare where President Mnangagwa is officially commissioning AI-driven smart silos.
The President has just unveiled a plaque to mark the official commissioning of the silos
All set for the smart silos commissioning
President Mnangagwa commissioned AI silos at GMB Kwekwe in May, and the ones at GMB Mutare being commissioned today are a replica of those in Midlands.
The modern facilities include dust extractors and an inbuilt 100-tonne-an-hour dryer, depending on the moisture content at intake.
The seven silos have a carrying capacity of 8 000 metric tonnes each, bringing the total to 56 000 metric tonnes per facility
Minister Mugadza delivers welcome remarks
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza takes to the podium to deliver his welcome remarks.
He says President Mnangagwa is most welcome and Manicaland Province is deeply honoured to host him again in a short space of time.
Minister Mugadza highlights the progress that has been going on in Manicaland on the infrastructure development front under the Second Republic as evidenced by more projects that President Mnangagwa has been commissioning in the province.
He says the province is not intimidated by the enormity of the silos and is geared to reach 500MT of grain harvest after 494MT of grain last year.
Minister Mugadza concludes his welcome remarks by chronicling the numerous development projects that have been spearheaded under the Second Republic.
Agricultural sector poised to met set targets
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka takes to the podium.
He says the agricultural sector is well positioned to meet all the targets set countrywide, explaining that the country is also geared to meet its irrigation coverage targets.
Minister Masuka highlights the success stories the country continues to score in the agricultural sector under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
He invites President Mnangagwa to the podium
Smart silos a major milestone in food security: President
President Mnangagwa has taken to the podium and says he is happy to see that the people have come in their numbers.
The President says he is honoured to commission the state-of-the-art silos, adding that they will go a long way in preserving our harvest as a country.
President Mnangagwa says by commissioning the smart silos in Mutare, Government is creating a national hub in the city.
“It means we will be keeping food for the nation here in Mutare,” he says, adding: “This is a milestone in commodity and grain storage in the country.”
The President gives a Biblical analogy of the story of the seven years of harvest and seven years of hunger, emphasising that he is not expecting hunger but the nation has to be prepared for such eventualities.
He congratulates the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Grain Marketing Board and all key stakeholders who collaborated in constructing the silos.
The President says the project is not infrastructural development just for the sake of it as the facility has capacity to store 56 000 metric tones of grain, which becomes handy during drought as the silos can store enough grain to avert hunger and starvation.
President Mnangagwa says this talks to the ZANU PF stance of being proactive.
He adds that the silos are equipped with digital and advanced quality control systems that help reduce post-harvest losses.
He says the standards set here are similar to what we see in the developed world.
President Mnangagwa says the silos are equipped to preserve the grain in its quality state.
The President says this is an ongoing initiative as similar infrastructure will be established in Masvingo, Rutenga, Marondera, Guruve, Mhangura Rafingora, Bundura, Gokwe, Plumtree and others area across the country.
He adds that increased grain storage capacity is also part of our national strategy to climate-proofed and ensuring food security.
President Mnangagwa says Government will continue rolling out developmental projects despite the illegal sanctions.
The President says the World Food Programme (WFP) is ready to collaborate with Zimbabwe in the country’s quest to become a production and storage hub.
He reveals that the WFP has carried out researches and earmarked Zimbabwe as the regional food storage hub.
President Mnangagwa says the Government is ready to capacitate GMB to meet the requisite standards, adding that the first phase of the food storage systems and rural transformation has gone beyond expectations.
The President says it is against this background that he is proud to be unveiling the second phase of the Food Storage Systems and Rural transformation strategy Number Two 2026 to 2030
President Mnangagwa says agricultural production must be escalated to enhance nutrition for all communities across the country.
He says it is heartening that the country is expecting good rains for this agricultural season, emphasising the need to be adequately prepared.
The President assures farmers of a smooth farming season, reiterating Government’s support all the way.
President Mnangagwa even some farmers fail to benefit from Government farming inputs they can always spare some of their harvest for sowing the following season, reminding people of this method that was used in the past.
He highlights that Zimbabwe is a food basket for Africa, saying the days of sourcing grain from other countries like Malawi and Tanzania are over.
The President encourages farmers to produce enough, especially after receiving good rains, to avert hunger.
The President says he is informed that there are adequate grain reserves in Manicland.
“Our elders and the child-headed families must be assisted. Our relevant Government departments are aware of who should be assisted,” he says.
With these remarks, President Mnangagwa, declares the GMB silos in Mutare officially commissioned and the Food Storage System and Rural Transformation 2026-2030 officially launched.
President Mnangagwa finishes his address before Minister Masuka presents him with a token of appreciation.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Honourable Haritatos gives vote of thanks.
