The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is a critical institution in Kenya’s agricultural sector. Established in 1985 through an Act of Parliament (Cap 338), the NCPB emerged from the amalgamation of the Maize and Produce Board and the Wheat Board on July 1, 1979. The primary goal of this integration was to streamline the management, handling, and marketing of grains across the country. Over the years, the NCPB has evolved into a key player in Kenya’s food security and agricultural management systems.
Vision and Mandate of NCPB
NCPB’s vision is to be a world-class corporation in agricultural commodity trade and grain management. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of Kenya’s grain markets, maintaining the country’s food security, and managing the strategic grain reserves (SGR). The board operates under a governance structure led by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for maintaining high professional standards, implementing systems and controls, and ensuring the formulation and execution of key policies.
Functions of the NCPB
The National Cereals and Produce Board is tasked with various functions that aim to support farmers, the government, and the overall agricultural market in Kenya. Below is a detailed look at its primary roles:
1. Commercial Commodity Trading
NCPB engages in the trading of grains, fertilizers, and agro-chemicals. It operates as a commercial entity by buying and selling agricultural commodities to stabilize market prices and supply levels.
2. Grain-Related Services
The board offers a range of grain-related services, including pest control, warehousing, weighing, grading, bagging, aflatoxin testing, drying, and clearing and forwarding. These services are essential for maintaining grain quality and assisting farmers and traders in ensuring that their produce meets market standards.
3. Procurement and Management of Strategic Grain Reserves (SGR)
One of the NCPB’s critical functions is the procurement and management of grain on behalf of the government. This is done to secure Kenya’s Strategic Grain Reserves (SGR) and Famine Relief Stocks (FRS), ensuring that there is a stable supply of essential food items during periods of scarcity or emergencies.
4. Logistics Support for Food Security
NCPB provides logistics support for government initiatives related to food security. This includes the distribution of food aid and subsidized farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, which helps farmers increase productivity and stabilize food prices in the country.
5. Market Intervention
The board acts on behalf of the government to intervene in the grain markets by regulating prices and ensuring that there is no manipulation or exploitation of farmers. This function is vital in safeguarding the interests of smallholder farmers and stabilizing the agricultural economy.
6. Regulation of Grain and Produce Markets
NCPB regulates the collection, movement, storage, sale, purchase, transportation, marketing, processing, distribution, importation, exportation, and disposal of key agricultural products such as maize and wheat. This regulation ensures that the supply chain operates efficiently and that market practices are fair and transparent.
7. Coordination of the Food Balance Sheet Committee (FBSC)
The NCPB organizes and coordinates the activities of the Food Balance Sheet Committee (FBSC). This committee plays an essential role in monitoring Kenya’s food supply and demand, enabling informed decisions about imports, exports, and strategic reserves management.
8. Operation of Agricultural Hub Centres
NCPB runs Agricultural Hub Centres at select depots across the country. These hubs are one-stop shops for farmers and agro-dealers, offering access to millers, grain traders, financial and insurance service providers, cooperatives, and other agricultural players. The hubs facilitate knowledge exchange and provide farmers with easy access to necessary resources.
Additional Services Offered by NCPB
Beyond its primary functions, the NCPB offers various specialized services that benefit farmers, traders, and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.
1. Pest Control Services
NCPB offers pest control services such as fumigation, spraying, and rodent control. These services help prevent post-harvest losses caused by pest infestations, ensuring that stored grains remain in optimal condition.
2. Grading and Aflatoxin Testing
Grading services are provided across NCPB’s network to determine the quality of produce, adhering to Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) guidelines. Additionally, aflatoxin testing ensures that grains meet safety standards before being released to the market.
3. Warehousing and Storage
The NCPB provides warehousing services through a network of conventional stores for bagged grain and silo bins for naked grain. Farmers and traders can contract these facilities for secure and reliable storage of their produce.
4. Weighing Services
The NCPB operates digital weighbridges and platform weighing scales at various depots and silos across Kenya. These services provide accurate weights for different types of loads, ensuring transparency in the trading process.
5. Grain Cleaning and Drying
Grain cleaning and drying services improve the quality of stored produce by removing foreign matter, chaff, and moisture. These services help ensure that grains meet market requirements and remain viable for longer periods.
6. Bagging Services
The board provides bagging services using automatic state-of-the-art facilities. These facilities are located in key depots such as Eldoret, Bungoma, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kitale, Narok, Moi’s Bridge, and Kisumu. Bagging services help maintain grain quality and simplify transportation.
7. Clearing and Forwarding
The NCPB handles the clearing and forwarding of grain imports and exports. It offers warehousing and storage for these products at competitive rates in key locations such as Mombasa, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and other entry points.
8. Distribution of Subsidized Fertilizer and Seeds
NCPB procures and distributes subsidized fertilizer and seeds on behalf of the government, helping farmers access affordable inputs to enhance productivity and improve food security.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) plays a vital role in Kenya’s agricultural sector, ensuring that grains and other agricultural commodities are efficiently managed, stored, and distributed. By providing essential services such as pest control, grading, warehousing, and market intervention, the NCPB supports the government’s efforts to maintain food security and stabilize grain markets.
As Kenya continues to face challenges in food security due to climate change, population growth, and market fluctuations, the NCPB’s role remains critical. Through strategic grain reserves, logistical support, and agricultural hub centers, NCPB is ensuring that farmers, traders, and the country as a whole are better prepared to handle future agricultural demands.
