Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
The US$500 million Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Silo Expansion Project underway at several depots around the country is progressing well, with construction of Mvurwi silos on course.
Seven grain silos with a total capacity of 56 000 tonnes of grain are being constructed at Mvurwi GMB depot to boost grain storage capacity.
“Right now, we are at 33 percent progress and we are just doing civil works which include tying reinforcement steel and pouring concrete. We hope to finish civil works by March and complete the whole project no later than June,” said Engineer Rainos Chireshe of Packagers Hub.
GMB Regional Manager Mr. Tavonga Makuvara noted, “Our storage here at Mvurwi was 100 percent tents and this exposes Silos will ensure safe storage of grain. So far in Mashonaland Central we had 99 000 tonnes of storage for grain so we will increase to 156 000 tons of storage.”
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo toured the project this Thursday, highlighting its importance as the province is the country’s second largest grain basket.
“I have seen the fulfilment of the President’s call that a country is built by its people. The is construction will reduce the challenge of grain storage which we faced as we produced grain which would be taken and stored elsewhere then when we need it, we would transport it back here increasing transport costs. So, let’s work together in the province with those seconded from Harare to make this project a success,” he said.
Upon completion, the country’s grain storage capacity will improve by an additional 1 million tonnes from the current 750 000 tonnes.
