Certification for KILIMOHAI ORGANIC
Organic certification is a system by which agricultural, natural products and the systems in which they were produced, processed, handled and retailed are assessed for conformity to set organic standards.
- Certification is a system by which the conformity of products to applicable standards is determined.
- Organic certification is a requirement to demonstrate a product or operation has met the specific organic production standards. The Kilimohai symbol is a recognized and trusted mark of organic certification across East Africa.
- It is a marketing instrument that enables access to preferential markets. It confers a positive statement that a producer follows the rules or organic production.
- In countries with regulated organic markets, certification is mandatory.
- Organic certification is a process certification meaning that the end product of the process is an organic product.
- Therefore it is very hard to differentiate between organic and non-organic produce physically. As a consumer you need to verify with the vendor by requesting details of organic certification from the vendor.
Why is Certification Needed?
- Third party assurance from producer to the consumer separated by distance
- For uniform label
- Assurance to the consumers that their concern for healthy food has been addressed.
- Effective marketing tool for image, credibility, visibility, transparency.
Steps to Kilimohai Certification
Steps to Kilimohai Organic Certification for Individual For Individual Farmers
- Contact a 3rd party the certifying body and make arrangements for certification
- The certifying body carries out an external audit (also known as an external inspection) on your farm.
- The certifying body announces its decision on certification based on findings of the audit
- Begin to market your produce using the organic mark
- Consider advertising your produce at www.organicsoko.com (If you want to sell directly to Consumers i.e. B2C) and / or
- www.organicmarket.co.ke (If you want to sell at wholesale price to retailers i.e. B2B. See our list of Organic Wholesale Buyers)
- Renew the organic certification license on a yearly basis.
- Be sure to continue implementing organic principles and practices as well as observing contract with the certifying body.
How to prepare for Certification
- Research Organic agriculture for yourself – Start by exploring www.kilimohaikenya.org or speaking to organic farmers. (Check list of Kilimohai Organic Certified Farmers)
- Become a KOAN member – this is a voluntary step.
- Attend a training session on organic agriculture – KOAN provides organic trainings through our members e.g. RODI Kenya, KIOF, SACDEP, Baraka College, Sylvia’s Basket and Manor House (See a complete list of institutions training on organic production).
- Get coaching on organic standards and certification from KOAN
- Develop and implement an organic farm management plan.
- Implement organic principles and practices on your farm
- Observe the conversion period – this is at least one year for the East African Organic Product Standards but varies depending on the standards.
Steps to Kilimohai Organic Certification for Individual For Farmer Groups
- Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is the main mode of certification for farmer groups. To learn more about PGS please visit the page on PGS.
- To be PGS certified please follow the following steps;
- Form a group of people with a common interest.
- Research organic agriculture for yourself – start by exploring www.kilimohaiorganickenya.org or speaking to organic farmers. (See our list of Kilimohai Organic certified farmers).
- Become a KOAN member – this is a voluntary step
- Attend a training session on organic agriculture – KOAN provides PGS trainings, many of KOAN members also train on organic production – see list of accredited organic training institutions.
How to prepare for Certification
- Each group member implements organic principles and practices on their farm.
- Attend training on organic quality management systems considering the target market.
- Set and implement the system, observing the conversion period
- Contact KOAN after implementing training and make arrangements for certification
- Carry out the groups PGS peer review audits at least once per year.
- KOAN will carry out PGS assessment audit on all the group members’ farms.
- KOAN will share its decision on certification based on findings of the audit
- Begin to market your produce using the organic mark consider advertising your produce at www.organicsoko.com (If you want to sell directly to consumers i.e. B2C) and / or www.organicmarket.co.ke (If you want to sell at Wholesale price to retailers i.e. B2B).
- Renew the organic certification on a yearly basis. Be sure to continue implementing organic principles and practices as well as observing PGS peer review audits and applying for PGS assessment from KOAN.