President Mnangagwa to Commission Smart Silos, Launch New Agricultural Strategy in Mutare

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected in Mutare, Manicaland Province, this Wednesday where he will officially commission the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Smart Silos and launch the 2026–2030 Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.

The commissioning of the Smart Silos marks another milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the country’s grain storage and management systems in line with Vision 2030. The state of the art facilities, which include 14 Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven silos established across various parts of the country are designed to enhance efficiency, security, and quality control in the handling of strategic grain reserves.

Once fully operational, the new Smart Silos are expected to add an additional 750 000 tonnes of storage capacity to the national system. This will significantly boost Zimbabwe’s ability to manage grain stocks and respond to regional food security demands. The World Food Programme (WFP) has already recognised Zimbabwe as a regional food distribution hub, a status reinforced by such investments in advanced storage infrastructure.

The Smart Silo project falls under the Second Republic’s push to digitalise and industrialise key sectors of the economy, ensuring that agriculture remains the backbone of national development. Through the integration of AI technology, the facilities will be able to monitor temperature, moisture, and stock levels in real time, minimising post-harvest losses and improving decision making in food reserve management.

In addition to the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa will also preside over the launch of the 2026–2030 Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, which outlines Zimbabwe’s next phase of agricultural development.

The strategy aims to expand the country’s irrigable land from the current 220 000 hectares to nearly 500 000 hectares by 2030, a move expected to increase productivity and resilience against climate change. It also places emphasis on rural industrialisation, sustainable farming practices, and the empowerment of smallholder farmers through access to modern technologies, finance, and markets.

Government officials, farmers’ unions, development partners, and private sector representatives are expected to attend the event, which underscores the importance of agriculture in driving inclusive economic growth and food self sufficiency.

The Mutare event follows a series of nationwide infrastructure developments being rolled out under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Programme, which seeks to position Zimbabwe as a regional leader in sustainable food production and distribution.