Wm1: Nmc S Maize Grading Methods

WM1: NMC’S MAIZE GRADING METHODS

With Nokwanda Dlamini-Masuku

We read the previous week that the National Maize Corporation is vying for ISO Certification. That is a huge step for the organisation and it means even more to our clients and stakeholders. This is not to say the organisation has been going about their business the wrong way, but rather, getting certification just re-affirms that indeed the processes we have been going through as an organisation when handling our products are correct and are of acceptable global standards. This will also help us refine some of our systems to ensure that world standards are met and that the organisation continues to deliver to the expectations of the end-consumer and further deliver on implied expectations.

There are several processes and procedures that the organisation goes through in order to deliver the best quality to the public, and in terms of the maize we buy from and resell to the public, our starting point is grading the maize. The National maize Corporation prides herself in delivering WM 1 maize to the public. WM 1 is basically white maize, grade 1: the best of its kind in grading standards.

One may ask themselves what goes into maize grading and what factors are looked out for when maize is being graded. Also, questions may arise as to what impact that may have on the selling price of maize and more so, why the need to grade maize or any other grain for that matter.

Grading regulations promote fair business practices and a competitive marketing environment for grains. By the correct application of the grading regulations, fair and competitive trading practices are promoted to the overall benefit of consumers and the agricultural industry as a whole. Grading ensures reliable and accepted descriptions of crop quality and value, and promotes economic health and prosperity in agriculture. It also prevents unscrupulous suppliers from dumping the unwanted products in the market.

Grain quality refers to the safety and hygiene of grain and the appropriateness of quality for specific end-use and processing. Grading further provides a measure of grain quality and therefore, grain inspection and grading of grain consignments are of utmost importance.

The following factors are looked into when grading maize brought to the National Maize Corporation depots:

a)Insects: Any live insect which is injurious to stored grain irrespective of the stage of development of the insect.

b)Poisonous seed: Means seed or part of seed of plant species that may represent a hazard to human or animal health when consumed.

c)Defective maize kernels: Means maize kernels and /or pieces of maize kernels in the sample that pass through a 6.35mm round sieve and that are shrivelled, frost damaged, heat damaged, water damaged and chalky.

d)Wizened Maize: The germ and endosperm (soft and hard starch) of these kernels do not develop to maturity. These kernels have a shrivelled appearance and appear to be shrunken.

e)Soiled Maize: Maize kernels that are obviously smeared with soil or ground dust, contaminated by smut, fire, smoke or coal-dust.

f)Mouldy Maize: Means kernels or pieces of kernels that are visibly infected by fungi and are characterized by black, blue, green, brown, yellow or white fungi growth anywhere on the kernel or are characterised by fungi growth underneath the bran layer of the kernel.

Sampling for inspection purposes must meet the requirements in the regulations for that particular crop. Guided by this regulation, our SHERQ and Stock Controller team conduct an official investigation of the grain by taking a representative sample of the grain in the prescribed manner and will go on to weigh, inspect, calculate moisture content as well as check for afflotoxins and finally deriving a grade for the afore-mentioned calculations. After which, the maize is then stored in silos that are also prescribed in grading regulations.

This ensures that our maize complies with certain functionalities as well as safety and hygiene standards, and is free from disease, harmful elements or other adverse factors within specific limits. Our grading system helps the organisation ensure that the quality of any product from any producer is assessed in the same manner and that it is focused on the customer’s end-use requirements, which is normally milling, although there are many other known uses.

Most countries have developed maize grading standards with a view to provide a framework for trade both internally and externally. Swaziland has not done any differently and this has particularly played a crucial role in the importation of maize from other countries into Swaziland. Importing maize has put the country and the NMC in a position where they would not be able to view or inspect their purchase of maize thus the global language of grading has been the tool that has bridged the distance gap between NMC and the different destinations from where maize is purchased for the Swazi Nation. The use of this agreed standard has provided the NMC and so many other such organisations with the unambiguous description of the quality of the consignment.

The entire process sounds simple enough, and can therefore be easily misconstrued as pretty straight-forward to carry out. But there are always challenges when dealing with different levels of your publics as an organisation and the NMC has not been spared the pain of going through this. But like every challenge faced by the organisation, the NMC has been blessed with a leadership that advises it’s team to allow themselves to be adorned by lessons derived through challenges and hardships as this is what builds character and promotes continued improvement individually and as a team.

And so we soldier on...