GrainMate moisture meter for smarter storage

The GrainMate Grain Moisture Meter is a compact, handheld agricultural innovation developed to help farmers, grain traders, feed manufacturers and aggregators accurately assess grain moisture levels before storage, processing or sale.

Moisture management plays a vital role in modern agriculture, as excessive moisture in harvested grain can result in post-harvest losses, mould development and aflatoxin contamination, all of which threaten food safety, grain quality and farm profitability.

Created by Sesi Technologies in Ghana, GrainMate reflects a growing push towards climate-smart and climate-resilient agricultural technologies tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across Africa. The device is already widely adopted across sub-Saharan Africa, where thousands of users rely on it to take fast and reliable moisture readings across multiple grain types.

Traditionally, farmers have depended on manual and inaccurate methods—such as biting grains or visual inspection—to judge dryness. GrainMate modernises this process by delivering instant digital readings of moisture, temperature and humidity via a clear LCD display. This allows users to make informed decisions in seconds rather than relying on guesswork. The device currently supports seven major commodities, including maize, rice, soybeans, sorghum, millet, groundnut and wheat, with scope for future expansion.

Designed for field and market use, the GrainMate Moisture Meter is simple and durable. Users insert the robust aluminium probe into a grain sample, select the appropriate crop setting, and press a button to receive accurate results. The meter is battery-powered, operating on just two AA batteries, and includes features such as adjustable calibration, a backlit screen for low-light environments, audible alerts and intelligent power management to conserve energy.

GrainMate directly addresses key agricultural challenges, particularly in regions facing high humidity, variable temperatures and limited access to drying infrastructure. By delivering fast, reliable moisture data, the technology helps reduce spoilage, improve storage outcomes and enhance price negotiations at markets.

Overall, GrainMate stands out as an affordable, user-friendly solution with a measurable impact on food systems, empowering both smallholders and commercial operators to reduce losses, protect grain quality and strengthen food security throughout the agricultural value chain.