The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has received a quality management system certification (ISO 9001:2015) from the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI), making it the first state-owned enterprise to receive the certification.
NAB Chief Executive Officer Fidelis Mwazi said a quality management system ensures that services are delivered promptly, enabling farmers to conduct their businesses smoothly without unnecessary delays.
“For farmers, the ISO 9001:2015 standard translates into a streamlined process when applying for inspections or submitting produce. The NAB is dedicated to maintaining efficient turnaround times for services, such as inspecting produce or processing licence applications,” he said.
He further explained that the certification assisted in the organisation being granted approval by the Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP) as a verification body for local GAP.
“Hence, on a global scale, the criteria for Global GAP were adapted to create what we refer to as Local GAP. It’s important to note that Local GAP isn’t a standard exclusive to Namibia; rather, it remains a globally acknowledged standard specifically designed to cater to the needs of smaller-scale farmers,” he said.
The CEO also emphasised that the NAB’s approach to Local and Global GAP standards underscores their commitment to a thorough inspection process.
“Whether it’s the Local Gap or Global Gap certification, the emphasis remains on ensuring that agricultural practices align with internationally recognised standards, contributing to a safer and more efficient food production and distribution network,” he said.
NAB’s Manager for Food, Safety and Compliance Services Melchiol Ambunda said the firm worked hard to get certified and become a recognised verification body, to meet global standards.
“We received a certificate of registration from the NSI certification body as a test station, this means that the Namibian Agronomic Board has a system in place which is certified to international standard,” he said.
NAB is a regulatory body tasked with promoting the agronomic industry, facilitating the production, processing, storage and marketing of controlled products in Namibia.
