This archive report was first published on 26 August 2021.
On August 26, 2021, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) achieved a major milestone in its efforts to improve service delivery and maintain quality in grain management by receiving ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya underscored the role of NCPB in the implementation of reforms in the national food value chain initiated in May 2020. He noted that one of the reforms on post-harvest management contributes towards national food security and therefore NCPB is critical in the implementation and success of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) in the country.
CS Munya acknowledged that the Ministry has been closely monitoring the implementation of the reforms through a Technical Committee established to oversee the process. He noted that there is notable progress and success in the implementation of the reforms as directed by the Cabinet.
However, CS Munya acknowledged that there remain certain critical components of the reforms, which require inter-ministerial engagement between the Ministry and the National Treasury. He challenged the NCPB Board of Directors and its Management to keep up the momentum by ensuring they maintain high standards as they drive the reform agenda.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Prof Hamadi Boga said the government has cleared more than 75 per cent of the debt owed to NCPB, largely on grain handling and pertaining to maize. He added that the rest of the money owed on fertiliser is in the process of being paid and that the Ministry is in discussion with the National Treasury to allocate the funds.
Speaking on the side-lines after the launch of new standard ISO 9001:2015 Certification in Nairobi, Prof Boga said NCPB is at a better place now and the government is determined to complete the payments. He noted that NCPB is now a commercial entity and has cleared most of the debt, allowing them to trade in terms of purchasing maize and supporting other operations.
As at the end of last year, the NCPB had been owed debts to the tune of Sh18.1 billion by Government agencies which had been incurred over years for grain handling services and other amenities.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Bernard Njiraini said the Quality management system for NCPB is a tool that is going to assist the organisation achieve their objectives in terms of improvement of their performance and achieve better efficiency and get better customer satisfaction.
NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote said the Board has come a long way and with the support of the government has undertaken various projects and initiatives and managed to record major milestones and achievements in the recent past. He noted that the ISO 9001:2015 certification will see them maintain the standard and ensure that all the quality objectives are met.
