Smart silo technology leads Africa’s fight against food loss

In the African Investment Indaba in Cape Town next week, smart silos and grain storage technology will be the focus of a key presentation by Marco Sutter, managing director of Bühler Southern Africa.

The event will bring together over 800 stakeholders, including investors, project developers, and government officials, to discuss the critical trends driving the future of African food and agribusiness over the next ten years, and analyse the economic forces impacting the sector.

Bühler’s participation will highlight the vital role that advanced grain storage technology plays in addressing Africa’s food security challenges. Smart grain storage silos use sensors, monitoring systems, and control mechanisms to optimise grain storage conditions and prevent losses due to pests, moisture, and other factors.

Reducing post-harvest losses

Sutter said the African Agri Investment Indaba provides an essential platform for Bühler to engage with key stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

“As Africa grapples with the dual challenges of feeding a growing population whilst minimising post-harvest losses, smart silo technology represents a critical solution. We are excited to share how these innovations can transform grain storage across the continent.

“The timing of Bühler’s participation is particularly pertinent given Africa’s current food security landscape. A recent World Bank report reveals that transportation inefficiencies are causing significant food losses in Africa, with 37% of locally produced food lost in transit due to slow processing times, poor infrastructure, and non-tariff barriers,” he said.

Sutter added that agricultural production was projected to decline by 18% due to land degradation and climate change, even as food supply needs to triple by 2050 to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

“Smart storage solutions directly address these challenges by reducing post-harvest losses through real-time monitoring of grain conditions, automated climate control, and predictive maintenance systems that prevent spoilage before it occurs.

“The African Agri Investment Indaba connects the full agricultural value chain, from production to processing to distribution. This comprehensive approach is exactly what is needed to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential.”

According to Sutter, Bühler’s smart silo technology fits seamlessly into this vision by ensuring that the grain farmers work so hard to produce is protected and preserved throughout the storage phase.

“We view the indaba not just as a speaking opportunity, but as a chance to forge meaningful partnerships that can drive real change.

“Africa’s food security challenges require collaborative solutions, and we are committed to working alongside governments, investors, and agricultural producers to deploy technology that makes a tangible difference,” he said.