GMB Kwekwe expansion nears completion

THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot expansion in Kwekwe is nearing completion and this will guarantee the district and surrounding areas adequate storage facilities for the farmers’ produce.

The Kwekwe GMB silos expansion is part of the 14 silo projects being built nationwide to expand storage facilities for the farmers’ produce across the country.

Kwekwe farmers were being forced to deliver their produce to Chegutu GMB depot and were paying US$600 to transport 30 tonnes.

The 14 sites under construction, with a capacity of 56 000 tonnes each are set to complement the existing 750 000 tonnes capacity.

Government is targeting 1,5 million tonnes silo capacity for strategic grain reserves.

The Kwekwe project is in its final stages of completion.

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka on Wednesday toured the Kwekwe silos to check on progress.

In an interview after the tour, Dr Masuka said the Second Republic was implementing lasting projects in line with Vision 2030.

“While other GMB depots have 20 driers, each capable of processing 28 tonnes in five hours, this continuous drying mechanism handles up to 200 tonnes per hour,” he said.

“This means farmers can harvest grain at 24 percent moisture and have it dried right here.”

Minister Masuka said additional innovations include an environmentally friendly dust removal system and automated ventilation to prevent stack burn during storage.

“The Kwekwe GMB silos are part of the 14 sites that are strategically located across the country, which include sites at Beitbridge, Gwanda, Lupane, Gokwe, Masvingo and Mutare,” he said.

Minister Masuka said the continuous drying mechanisms offer several advantages.

“They enable efficient grain drying and minimise grain damage and spoilage. This leads to increased flexibility for farmers to harvest and store grains,” he said.

Each silo has an 8 000-tonne capacity, which will help curb post-harvest losses.

The project generated employment for Kwekwe residents during the construction phase and is expected to stimulate further economic growth in the Midlands province.

Kwekwe District, known for its high maize and wheat production, is one of the top producers in the region.

President Mnangagwa recently highlighted Pricabe Farm’s impressive achievement of an average yield of 11,3 tonnes per hectare which is well above the previous owner’s record of eight tonnes per hectare.-chroncile