Story by Gay Matambo
THE construction of seven smart silos at Rutenga Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in Mwenezi District is on course, with the first phase of the project now complete.
The smart silos project comes on the back of government’s ecological tailoring initiative which has ensured farmers reap the highest possible benefits out of their cropping environments.
Apart from boosting agricultural resilience across Masvingo province, the seven Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered smart silos will reduce grain spoilage while strengthening grain storage infrastructure as traditional grains production gains popularity in the province.
“Masvingo is ideally suited for cultivating traditional grains like sorghum and pearl millet, in line with its climatic and ecological profile hence this project will go a long way in ensuring proper storage and handling of traditional grains. The seven AI-powered smart silos, we are told have a combined capacity of 56 000 tonnes and will cater for more than 200 000 farmers across Masvingo,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said.
Project Site Manager Engineer Ngonidzashe Bumhira revealed construction works are now complete, with the second phase having commenced.
“Progress to date is we have finished the civil works and we have commenced the electrical and mechanical works that is the structural phase. We expect to finish in the shortest possible time. These silos will be equipped with artificial intelligence, internet of things sensors and automated environmental systems which monitor temperatures, humidity, grain moisture and carbon dioxide levels to prevent spoilage and pest infestations,”
The Rutenga Smart Silos project is part of a national programme to install AI-driven smart silos at 14 sites across the country within two years, a development described as a major milestone in modernising Zimbabwe’s grain storage and food security systems.
