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LAUNCH OF THE CROP INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM (CICS): A NEW ERA FOR UGANDA’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS

The 11th of November 2024, marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s agricultural sector with the official launch and roll out of the Crop Inspection and Certification System (CICS) at the Hortifresh offices. The event brought together an impressive array of industry stakeholders, including  Mr. Paul Mwambu the Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Dr. Carol Nankinga the Assistant Commissioner of MAAIF, Mr. Fred Zake the Managing Director of Hortifresh, Md. Arafat Hossain the Country Director and Project Manager of Swisscontact Uganda, Mr.Phillip Isler, Director Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, Mr. Brian Gitta the CEO of ThinkIT (system developers), and other key stakeholders. Their collective presence underscored the importance of this system for Uganda’s export industry, as well as the broader impact it will have on the country’s agricultural trade. Exporters, farmers, quality controllers, inspectors, and other key stakeholders in attendance collectively showed that this launch is more than just a technical rollout; it is a collaboration aiming to transform Uganda’s agricultural trade by streamlining certification processes, reducing delays, and enhancing traceability. This event highlighted the significant role CICS will play not only in facilitating exports but also in positioning Uganda as a competitive player in the global market. The collective presence of such influential stakeholders underscored the shared belief in CICS as a cornerstone for the growth and modernization of Uganda’s agricultural exports, promising greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability for the sector as a whole.

What is CICS?

The Crop Inspection and Certification System (CICS) is a digital platform designed to streamline the process of export certification for agricultural products requiring phytosanitary clearance. Available via web and mobile, CICS is designed to ensure traceability, automate inspection processes, and provide real-time updates, connecting farmers, exporters, inspectors, and regulatory authorities in one seamless system. With its launch, Uganda is taking a big step forward in positioning itself as a reliable exporter of high-quality agricultural products, compliant with international standards. Since its introduction, CICS has already onboarded a substantial number of users, highlighting its adoption and effectiveness in the industry. Currently, the system includes 128 export companies, 2,595 farmers, 78 quality controllers, 14 Packhouse inspectors, and 22 border and zonal inspectors.

Why CICS is a Game-Changer for Uganda’s Agricultural Sector

CICS addresses critical needs and fills longstanding gaps in Uganda’s agricultural export process, bringing substantial benefits for each stakeholder involved. For MAAIF, the launch of CICS marks a move towards greater regulatory efficiency and transparency. The ministry can now easily monitor compliance with phytosanitary standards, ensure faster certification, and uphold Uganda’s commitment to international agricultural standards. The Commissioner of MAAIF emphasized that this system is a tool to streamline workflows, allowing the ministry to improve service delivery, manage resources more efficiently, and maintain greater oversight of the inspection process. For exporters, who are often challenged by delays, cumbersome paperwork, and logistical bottlenecks, CICS offers a new level of operational ease and transparency. Exporters can now manage certifications, schedule inspections, track progress, and view reports in real-time. The Managing Director of Hortifresh highlighted how CICS will reduce the waiting time for approvals, allowing exporters to focus on delivering quality products to international markets without the red tape. The system also supports a seamless payment process for certification, easing the financial logistics of export.

Farmers stand to gain significantly from this new system, as it enables traceability and quality assurance from the point of production to export. By ensuring that Uganda’s produce meets international standards, CICS opens doors for more Ugandan farmers to reach global markets. This not only boosts income opportunities but also encourages sustainable farming practices. The Assistant Commissioner of MAAIF stressed that CICS will empower farmers by ensuring their products are verifiable and trusted in the international arena, enhancing their market competitiveness. For inspectors, CICS simplifies and digitizes the entire certification process, making it easy to schedule inspections, complete reports, and automate communication. The Assistant Commissioner MAAIF highlighted that the system’s design considers the inspectors’ need for efficiency and security, offering a digital, cloud-based infrastructure that reduces paperwork, cuts down on processing time, and minimizes errors. Through automated inspection reports and real-time updates, CICS allows inspectors to focus more on quality control and compliance rather than administrative tasks.

The presence of Swisscontact Uganda’s Country Director and Project Manager signaled the importance of international collaboration in advancing Uganda’s agricultural sector. Development partners like Swisscontact see CICS as a crucial step towards sustainable economic development, as it not only improves Uganda’s export capacity but also strengthens the country’s agricultural value chain. This digital innovation aligns with global standards for export certifications, creating opportunities for Uganda to expand its market reach and improve trade relations.

Bridging Gaps in the Sector

CICS addresses several longstanding challenges that have impacted the efficiency and competitiveness of Uganda’s agricultural exports. By digitizing inspection and certification processes, CICS significantly reduces manual paperwork and minimizes waiting times, expediting the entire export journey. Previously, exporters and regulators struggled with tracking certification and shipment statuses, leading to inefficiencies and delays. CICS closes this gap by offering real-time tracking and automated updates, enhancing transparency for all involved parties. Furthermore, the system ensures comprehensive traceability, which is critical for global trade—particularly in markets with stringent import standards. CICS enables products to be traced back to their source, reinforcing compliance with international regulations. Additionally, the platform’s built-in analytics provide valuable insights into export trends, compliance issues, and quality control, supporting data-driven decision-making. This feature helps stakeholders identify areas for improvement and make informed choices, ultimately elevating the quality and reliability of Uganda’s agricultural exports.

Future Expectations for CICS

The launch of CICS marks just the beginning, with stakeholders optimistic about its potential to foster further innovation in Uganda’s agricultural sector. CICS is designed for scalability, with plans to expand its services and accommodate more functionalities as the agricultural sector grows. This could include advanced analytics, additional inspection types, and new certification requirements beyond phytosanitary standards, ensuring the platform evolves alongside industry needs. As awareness of CICS continues to spread, more exporters, farmers, and stakeholders are expected to adopt the system, potentially establishing it as the national standard for export certification and reinforcing Uganda’s position as a leading regional exporter. Furthermore, the platform’s alignment with sustainable growth goals opens doors for increased collaboration with international development partners, who can bring technical expertise, resources, and capacity-building initiatives to support CICS’s long-term impact and reach.

The launch of the Crop Inspection and Certification System (CICS) represents a monumental step forward for Uganda’s agricultural export sector. By bridging gaps, increasing transparency, and making certification processes more efficient, CICS is set to reshape how Uganda manages its agricultural exports. With stakeholders from government, development organizations, technology, and farming communities rallying behind this innovation, CICS promises to be a game-changer, driving growth and reinforcing Uganda’s reputation in international markets. As we look to the future, it’s clear that CICS will play a crucial role in transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector, promoting compliance, and supporting sustainable economic growth.