By Elvis Dumba
Zimbabwe is set for a significant boost in cereal production with the upcoming completion of an advanced, AI-powered grain storage facility in Mhangura.
The new Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot is on track to be finished by September, offering a modern solution to long-standing post-harvest challenges.
The state-of-the-art facility will have a storage capacity of more than 58,000 tonnes. It will feature artificial intelligence systems that automate grain sorting, drying, and moisture control, providing local farmers with a comprehensive, all-in-one post-harvest service.
“Construction is progressing well, and we are on track to complete by September,” said Engineer Hurbert Mudhuviwa, the site construction manager.
The engineer emphasized the depot’s advanced features, stating, “What makes this facility unique is the integration of Artificial Intelligence systems, from automated grain sorting and moisture detection to temperature control, it is designed to minimise losses and ensure quality preservation from the moment the grain is received.”
The project is part of a larger government initiative to enhance food security and national resilience against climate change.
According to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural DevelopmentHonorablele Anxious Masuka, the Mhangura depot is just the beginning.
“Mhangura is just the beginning,” Minister Masuka noted. “We have come up with a comprehensive food production strategy, and it is in that capacity that we want to increase our silo storage capacity from the current 750,000 metric tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes. These will support growing food production levels and ensure that every grain harvested is safely stored and preserved.”
This rollout of smart storage facilities directly addresses years of post-harvest losses caused by issues like moisture mismanagement and transportation difficulties.
Marian Chombo, the Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, believes the new depot will be a huge benefit for the region’s farmers.
“This facility is a huge relief for farmers who have previously lost grain due to long travel distances and moisture problems,” she said.
“I urge all farmers in this region to take full advantage of this depot once it opens in September. We are anticipating a bumper wheat harvest, so this facility has been established at the right time,” she said.
With a renewed focus on technology in agriculture, Zimbabwe aims to significantly increase its overall food production.
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