President Mwai Kibaki receives the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate awarded to the Ministry of Agriculture at his Harambee House office, Nairobi. Looking on are Agriculture Minister Hon. Sally Kosgey and Permanent Secretary Dr Romano Kiome.
President Mwai Kibaki has urged the Ministry of Agriculture to consistently implement quality management systems at all levels in order to address food security challenges in the country.
Speaking today at his Harambee House office during the official unveiling of the ISO 9001: 2008 certificate awarded to the Ministry of Agriculture, President Kibaki said the ministry should use the certification to provide quality services to farmers.
Among the targets set out under the ISO certification is the reduction of post harvest crop losses from 40 per cent to 10 per cent and increment of water harvesting structures from 220 to 460 by the end of this year.
Other targets under the ISO include enhancing customer access to quality farm inputs by 10 per cent by the end of this year and to increase Agricultural productivity and output by 5 per cent annually to attain food security for all through improved extension services and adopting modern technologies.
The ministry of Agriculture’s other quality objectives under the ISO are to increase control of crop pests and diseases by end of the year and strengthening private-public partnerships, improve access to ICT-based Agriculture information and sustainable land use practices.