More than 200 000 farmers in Masvingo Province are set to benefit from seven AI-powered smart silos under construction at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Rutenga Depot in Mwenezi. The silos, which will offer a combined storage capacity of 56 000 tonnes, are expected to be completed by August.
The development adds to the modern smart silos commissioned last year in Mutare and Kwekwe, which are already operational as the Government accelerates the adoption of advanced grain-handling technologies.
The US$14 million project forms part of a broader national strategy to bolster food security by deploying AI systems to monitor moisture, temperature and grain levels, measures designed to minimise post-harvest losses and improve storage efficiency for farmers.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Site Engineer Victor Bingura confirmed steady progress on the project.
“We have completed three out of the seven AI-powered silos. Installation for two more is about to begin. The warehouse and intake shed are nearing completion, and all materials are already available, meaning we expect no delays,” he said.
Engineer Bingura also highlighted that the silos are built for versatility.
“Each silo can hold 8 000 metric tonnes and can store various grain types. This will significantly increase overall storage capacity, and we remain on track to commission the facility by mid-year,” he added.
Officials say the initiative will strengthen agricultural productivity, stabilise grain markets and improve farmer incomes, particularly for smallholder and commercial producers in southern Zimbabwe. By combining modern technology with expanded storage infrastructure, the project is expected to reduce spoilage, enhance national food security and support long-term agricultural resilience.
