shloboe boe
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
The Kwekwe Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot expansion project is progressing steadily, with new silos and driers expected to be operational by March this year.
The initiative aims to provide much-needed grain and wheat storage facilities for the local community, addressing a long-standing gap that previously forced farmers to seek services elsewhere.
The upgraded depot will feature seven additional silos and driers, significantly increasing its capacity to serve Kwekwe and the surrounding areas. Once complete, the silos will accommodate up to 56 000 tonnes of grain, while the driers will process between 45 000 and 50 000 tonnes of grain daily.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the project has already created employment opportunities for local residents, contributing to economic growth in the Midlands Province.
Kwekwe District, a key agricultural hub in the Midlands Province, is renowned for its high maize and wheat production. As the provincial leader in maize yields per hectare, the province boasts prominent farmers such as the First Family, who operate Pricabe Farm and Mr Douglas Kwande of DCK Investments.
President Mnangagwa, speaking about Pricabe Farm, noted that their current average yield stands at 11,3 tonnes per hectare, surpassing the previous owner’s record of eight tonnes per hectare. Head engineer for the project, Engineer Genius Mutasa, expressed confidence in meeting the March deadline.
“The new silos and driers will be complete by March this year. The project will see the depot erecting seven new silos and driers that are meant to service the Kwekwe community, particularly for wheat and grain storage, as it was difficult to get such services in the locality,” said Eng Mutasa.
He revealed that the ground-breaking began in June last year, with civil works commencing in September.
The team aims to complete all construction by the end of February, ensuring the facility is ready for operations soon after.
Local farmers have hailed the expansion as a game-changer for agricultural operations in the region. DCK farm manager, Mr Duncan Magaya, expressed excitement over the improved accessibility to storage and drying facilities.
