Source: President to unveil AI-powered grain silos – herald
Theseus Shambare
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA will mark a historic milestone in Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation tomorrow, as he commissions the country’s first-ever artificial intelligence-powered grain silos at the Grain Marketing Board’s Kwekwe depot.
This breakthrough represents a pivotal step in the Second Republic’s drive to embrace appropriate technologies across sectors of the economy, with agriculture spearheading the digital revolution.
The 56 000-tonne facility, featuring seven state-of-the-art silos, will receive its first grain delivery today as part of final preparations for the official launch.
The high-tech depot is central to the Government’s broader strategy to modernise national grain storage infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen food security.
The Kwekwe depot is the first of 14 facilities undergoing modernisation and expansion in the country.
The Government plans to commission one new or upgraded site at a time, with the ultimate goal of transforming 21 depots across the country by 2030.
Zimbabwe requires approximately 2,2 million tonnes of grain annually for both human and livestock consumption.
Once all 14 sites come online, national storage capacity will rise from 650 000 tonnes to 1,43 million tonnes, a boost of 780 000 tonnes.
This increase is critical, as the country has been losing grain worth over US$32 million each year due to outdated storage systems, with rain, manual handling and pests being the main culprits.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Midlands province director of agricultural engineering and farm infrastructure development Engineer Andrew Mupariwa said everything was in place for tomorrow’s commissioning of the silos.
“We are ready,” he said. “We want to take our first delivery test before May 5. The state-of-the-art facility is now up and running and ready for the commissioning by the President for it to start receiving the grain from this current successful season.”
He said preparations to host the Head of State and Government were complete.
“As we gear up for the commissioning, I can confidently say that the groundwork has been meticulously laid,” said Eng Mupariwa.
“Our team has ensured a robust and reliable power connection to support the advanced technology integrated within this facility.
“The monitoring system gives us central oversight of silo operations, from intake to storage and dispatch. Furthermore, we have prioritised the security of this vital infrastructure.
“The erection of a strong perimeter fence is complete, and we have incorporated additional security systems to safeguard the facility and the valuable grain it will hold.
“Everything is in place to ensure efficient and secure operations from day one.”
Unlike traditional storage units, the new silos are equipped with advanced technologies that integrate artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) sensors and automated environmental regulation.
At the core of the system are embedded IoT sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity, grain moisture and carbon dioxide levels, key indicators of spoilage or pest activity.
This real-time data enables immediate environmental adjustments to preserve grain quality over extended periods.
Ventilation fans and automated airflow systems eliminate excess moisture, while dehumidifiers or heaters can be triggered in response to changing weather patterns or internal conditions.
This dynamic response helps prevent mould, decay and pest infestations.
AI functions as the system’s brain, analysing data to pre-empt potential issues, recommending optimal storage practices and optimising energy use by activating climate controls only when necessary.
Upon grain delivery, the facility can automatically assess quality metrics like moisture content and direct produce to the appropriate storage compartment.
This reduces the risk of rejection and creates a transparent, traceable record for every batch through digital tracking.
The smart silos also feature integrated inventory and logistics tools that monitor grain quantity and condition in real time, streamline dispatch and reduce human error.
These innovations not only prevent spoilage, but also deter theft and mismanagement.
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