The government has cleared more than 75 percent of the debt owed to National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) largely on grain handling and pertaining to maize, Agriculture Principal Secretary Prof. Hamadi Boga has said. PS Boga was speaking after the launch of NCPB ISO certification at a Nairobi Hotel where he added that the rest of the money owed on fertilizer is in the process of being paid and that the ministry are in discussion with the National Treasury to allocated the funds, he added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture CS Hon Peter Munya has today acknowledged that NCPB is key in the implementation of reforms in the national food value chain. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives initiated reforms at the NCPB which were launched in May 2020. Post-harvest management, the CS noted contributes towards national food security and therefore NCPB is critical especially in the implementation and success of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) in the country.
In a speech read on his behalf during the launch of NCPB ISO certification by Principal Secretary Prof Hamadi Boga, CS Munya noted that the ministry-initiated reforms to address challenges the board was facing as it discharged its mandate. He noted that the Ministry has been closely monitoring implementation of the reforms through a Technical Committee which was established to assist the Managing Director to look into the directives on the reforms”, he said. CS Munya congratulated NCPB for getting the Certification under KS:2657 Standard saying it was a first step towards raising standards in maintenance of quality in grain management and improving on service delivery.
The CS however 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. The two initiatives he added, will bear the desired fruits so that they can efficiently serve Wananchi and its other stakeholders.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture Livestock & Fisheries