The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has announced its readiness to offer grain storage services to address post harvest challenges.
The cereals board said it is prepared to receive grains from individual farmers, cooperative societies or other groups for storage under the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) to maintain quality in readiness for market.
NCPB Managing Director (MD) Joseph Kimote said 58 warehouses and one Silo complex have been certified following completion of a one month inspection between May and June.
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“The NCPB is prepared to implement WRS and post-harvest management activities after 58 of its stores completed the inspection and certification process for consideration,” said Kimote.
The inspection and certification was carried out by the Agriculture and Food Authority.
Kiomte further said certification of all NCPB stores across the country is continuing to ensure that they conform to the required standards for food storage as per KS 2657:2016 standards on WRS.
Most farmers in parts of the ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001294122/rift-farmers-happy-after-ncpb-arrests">North Rift region< are gearing up for the next harvest expected from October and November.
The region has been experiencing heavy rains and it is expected WRS will be in handy for large scale farmers who could wish to store their produce in anticipation of better prices in future.
In a statement to the press on Friday, Kimote said the certified stores are in conformity with the WRS standards of bagged storage of cereals and pulses and the provision of the crop (Foods Crops) ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001293889/agriculture-ps-lesiyampe-arrested-over-ncpb-scandal">Regulations<, 2019.
“The NCPB is also offering grain handling and preservation post-harvest services including drying, weighing, grading, aflatoxin testing, fumigation and pest control services,” said the MD.
He noted that harvesting of maize has started in some parts of the country and urged farmers to take advantage of the facilities and services to reduce post-harvest losses.
Sources indicate that maize stocks were depleted in ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001371569/it-s-risky-to-transfer-role-of-food-trust-to-cereals-board-say-mps">NCPB