Zim-China Wanjin silo and dryer commissioned

Walter Nyamukondiwa-Mashonaland West Bureau Chief

Joint venture company, Zim-China Wanjin Agriculture Development has commissioned a 3 500-tonne dryer and silo plant at Hunyani Farm in Chinhoyi that is expected to help minimise post-harvest losses.

Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, who was represented by her deputy Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome (Rtd), commissioned the plant this afternoon.

The company is a joint venture between the Ministry of Defence and Anhui Provincial State Farms Group Company of China, which was established in 2010.

Minister Muchinguri said the project was undertaken under the Defence Economic Development Department to attract foreign direct investment and promote food security.

“It has the capacity to dry 20 tonnes of grain per hour,” she said.

“The facility will go a long way in assisting the company plant crops on time as harvest will now take place even if the moisture content is still high.”

It has a storage capacity of 3 000 tonnes dry silos and 500 tonnes wet silos, which can also be used as storage.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the army was playing a key role in food security, which is also important in ensuring territorial integrity.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo, who was represented by provincial secretary Josphat Jaji said the project was part of the fruits of the Look East Policy.