Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE commissioning of Artificial Intelligence-powered silos, and launch of the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 by President Mnangagwa in Mutare have been hailed as pivotal for the agricultural sector, guaranteeing efficient grain storage, food security, and catalysing progress towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
On Wednesday, President Mnangagwa launched the new silo complex at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Mutare Depot, boasting a total capacity of 56 000 metric tonnes, and revealed that a similar facility is under construction at Timber Mills Depot in Headlands.
The President said the Mutare Silo Complex is one of 14 new AI-powered silo sites being constructed nationwide, aimed at increasing grain storage capacity by 750 000 metric tonnes, and expanding storage space for cereals, including surpluses for the strategic grain reserve.
The Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (2026-2030) serves as the new agriculture roadmap, building on the success of its predecessor (AFSRTS 1), which ameliorated the sector’s gross value increase from US$5,2 billion in 2019 to US$10,3 billion in 2024.
It is now the sector implementation plan of the National Development Strategy (NDS2) – geared towards attaining Vision 2030, focusing on five key areas – food security and sovereignty, nutrition security, improved livelihoods, agriculture-based economic growth, and land and tenure security.
To achieve set objectives, AFSRTS 2 is structured around 10 pillars – enabling policy, regulatory and coordination environment; sustainable production and productivity; research, innovation, technology and modernisation; climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience building; rural industrialisation and rural development; investment, finance and trade development; and infrastructure development, rehabilitation and management, land and tenure security and building internal capacity to deliver transformation.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka emphasised that the AI-powered grain silos form part of the Government’s broader plan to establish a climate-resilient and technologically driven agricultural economy, with irrigation development playing a key role in ensuring food security.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), we attained a wheat volume of 596 617 metric tonnes, which is the highest ever produced. In 2017, we only had 155 000 hectares of irrigation, and now we have 224 000 hectares under irrigation. Since the advent of the Second Republic, we have been developing irrigation at a rate of 8 635 hectares a year, more than three times the rate between 1963 and 2017.
“Between 1963 and 2017, over the 54-year period, we only managed to do 750 000 metric tonnes storage capacity. In eight short years, we are putting out 784 000 metric tonnes of silos,” said Dr Masuka.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, GMB chief executive officer, Dr Edison Badarai said the new smart silos will revolutionise, and enhance grain utility operations, allowing for better grain management, and timely access to grain, particularly during periods of vulnerability.
“Basically, regarding the improvements, our intake capacity has doubled from two trucks per hour to four trucks per hour. Our drying capacity has increased significantly from seven tonnes per hour to 100 tonnes per hour. As for silo aeration, we can now aerate the entire 56 000 metric tonnes within an hour, whereas previously we had to transfer grain to another silo, moving it from bin to bin,” said Dr Badarai.
He added that the silos will enhance data capture, crucial for making informed storage and distribution decisions.
The AI-powered silos provide real-time statistics and produce condition, facilitating improved monitoring through real-time data management – a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to smart agriculture and digital transformation in food systems.
Dr Badarai further highlighted the silos’ ability to fumigate the entire lot within an hour, a marked improvement from the previous capacity of 1 250 metric tonnes.
“In terms of weighing, grain is weighed at every stage: upon arrival at the weighbridge, after cleaning, after drying, and upon storage in the silos. These AI-driven silos can be remotely monitored via phone and controlled using the system,” said Dr Badarai.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said strategic investment will also motivate farmers to increase production and productivity, ultimately contributing to the country’s goal of maintaining its breadbasket status in Southern Africa and boosting the national economy.
“This event comes at a time when our agricultural sector continues to register significant progress under the Second Republic; guided by your powerful policies and the Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy. Our farmers have embraced innovation and productivity through Presidential initiatives such as Pfumvudza, which have greatly improved yields, household food security, and climate resilience in our province.
“Irrigation rehabilitation and mechanisation continue on a positive trajectory with 23 000 hectares currently under irrigation, producing around 125 000 metric tonnes of grains from our high impact irrigation projects, including Romsley, Nyamaropa, Musikavanhu, Mhakwe and Cashel irrigation schemes. The province continues to rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure with targeted 1 500 hectares increase in irrigated land each year for the next five years so that by 2030, not less than 33 000 hectares will be under irrigation. The Strategic Grain Reserve Initiative has been warmly embraced and supported by our people. To date, 1 450. 389 metric tonnes have been delivered to GMB depots across the province. We look forward, this 2025/2026 farming season, to supporting 541 992 Pfumvudza beneficiaries in the province, and this should translate to over 45 000 metric tonnes which we aim to collect for Strategic Reserves next year. The siting of this state-of-the-art 56 000-tonne Silo Complex here in Mutare is both strategic and symbolic. Mutare, as the gateway to the SADC region, will serve to link agricultural production zones to domestic and regional markets through the Forbes Border and Beira trade corridors. These silos provide a ready, reliable and world class storage facility for reserve grain which may be exported or imported as our circumstances define. The facility ensures that our farmers’ hard work is secured, their produce safeguarded, and their livelihoods strengthened. The province is not intimidated by the mammoth size of these silos. Our farmers produce close to 500 000 metric tonnes of grains each year, 240 000 of which are for human and livestock consumption, while the remainder finds itself into the market, and of course to our strategic reserves in the form of these silos,” said Minister Mugadza.
Chief Senator Mutasa expressed excitement at the Second Republic’s initiative, saying it will motivate farmers in the province to increase production.
“These silos will improve the preservation of our grain. In times of need, we used to source grain from Banket silos, thereby delaying deliveries. The construction of these AI-powered silos within our proximity is a game-changer in the storage of our grain, considering reduced time and logistics. We can easily access the grain in times of need,” said Chief Mutasa.
Member of House of Assembly for Headlands Constituency, Honourable Farai Mapfumo said the AI-powered silos can address maize moisture content, moulds, and grain quality issues by continuously monitoring and controlling temperature, humidity, and aeration levels.
He said the automated sensors detect moisture levels, triggering drying processes to prevent mould growth and spoilage, ensuring optimal storage conditions, preserving grain quality, reducing post-harvest losses, and maintaining market value.
Mutare South legislator, Honourable Tawanda Dumbarimwe said the positive gesture by the Second Republic should be buttressed by increased production and productivity, through optimal use of existing irrigation facilities and establishing new ones.
“There is irrigation potential in Burma Valley at Mpudzi Dam. We need to take up the challenge and improve productivity. This development is in line with the thrust to improve agricultural productivity. I am very sure these silos will be put to good use,” he said.
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