Chinese expert designs simplified metallic grain silo in Malawi
A Chinese agricultural expert working with the Salima Agriculture Development Division (ADD) as part of the Malawi and Chinese government cooperation agreement has designed a more simplified metallic grain silo.
The metallic silo which is called Multi Detached Grain Silo has since been introduced to small holder farmers in Salima ADD.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, the expert Xu Xunfeng said the new silo has three detachable parts that allow it to be moved easily and it can be assembled even in a closed room.
“The advantage of this silo is that you can put it indoors and you can assemble it according to the size of the grain that you have and another good thing is that it is easier to pack and take the grain out as the top cover opens in full,” said Xunfeng.
Xufeng said his project is in line with the goal of the Malawi Government to reduce loss of harvest to pests and rodents.
According to information from Salima ADD, currently farmers lose 30 per cent of their grain to pests due to poor storage facilities.
Mphatso Magombo, an Agriculture Officer from Salima ADD said the ADD has accepted the new metallic silos and they will be promoted together with the old metallic silos.
“The expert has come to help us explore other means of storing grain as we pursue our goal of reducing wastage of the grain due to poor storage facilities,” said Magombo.
Magombo said currently the ADD has produced 10 multi detached silos that will be distributed to selected farmers in the area as part of promoting the new grain storage facility.
“As we are promoting these silos in our ADD we hope to take it further to other ADDs,” said Magombo.
Sineti Kossamu is one lucky farmer who has received the new silo in Salima, and speaking in an interview he said the detachable silo is good as it is portable.
“Apart from keeping the maize safe from pests and rodents, this silo is good as I can put it inside my house there by making my maize safe from thieves,” said Kosamu.
Kosamu also said the idea of metallic silos is a good way of reducing threats on natural resources such as trees which are used in the production of traditional silos thereby conserving the environment.
The multi detached silo costs about K40 thousand and a number of metal works in the district have been trained to make them.
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