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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
The new silos and driers at the Kwekwe depot of the Grain Marketing Board are progressing steadily should be operational by March this year to receive the new harvests that are now expected.
The depot expansion aims to provide much-needed grain and wheat storage for the local community, addressing a long-standing gap that previously forced farmers to ship their grain further afield.
The upgraded depot will feature seven additional silos and driers, significantly increasing its capacity to serve Kwekwe and the surrounding areas and the millers in the central Midlands, Once complete, the silos will accommodate up to 56 000 tonnes of grain with the driers able to handle that and the grains sent by GMB to millers and deports further afield.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the project has already created employment for local residents, contributing to economic growth in the Midlands Province.
Kwekwe District, a key agricultural hub in the Midlands Province, is renowned for its high maize and wheat production.
As the provincial leader in maize yields per hectare, the district boasts prominent farmers such as the First Family, who operate Pricabe Farm, and Mr Douglas Kwande of DCK Investments.
President Mnangagwa, speaking about Pricabe Farm, noted that their current average yield stands at 11,3 tonnes per hectare, surpassing the previous owner’s record of 8 tonnes per hectare.
Head engineer for the project, Engineer Genius Mutasa, expressed confidence in meeting the March deadline.
“The new silos and driers will be complete by March this year. The project will see the depot erecting seven new silos and driers that are meant to service the Kwekwe community, particularly for wheat and grain storage, as it was difficult to get such services in the locality,” said Eng Mutasa.
The ground was broken in June last year, with civil works starting in September. The team aims to complete all construction by the end of February, ensuring the facility is ready for operations soon after.
Local farmers have hailed the expansion as a game-changer for agricultural operations in the region. DCK farm manager, Mr Duncan Magaya, expressed excitement over the improved accessibility to storage and drying facilities.
“We are thrilled to see this development taking shape in our own backyard, as it is already bringing positive transformation to Kwekwe. It was a daunting task for us to transport our produce to the nearest collection point,” he said.
“The process was extremely challenging, requiring a tremendous amount of effort to get our goods to the depot.”
The Midlands has made significant strides in food distribution and security under the Second Republic. The Kwekwe GMB expansion is expected to further strengthen these efforts by supporting local farmers and enhancing grain storage capacity.
Online Reporter