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| Thursday, 5 February 2004 |
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Ma's Tropical Food Processing awarded ISO certification: New technology to ensure higher crops, better yields by Steve A. Morrell Accountability and total dedication to the progress and prosperity of farmer out growers, simultaneously maintaining clinical standards of production has secured for MA's Tropical Food Processing the international Quality Certification or ISO standard certification SQF 2000, (Safety Quality Food 2000). 'This award could be withdrawn at any time within the three-year period of its validity if for whatever reason our standards drop', said Mario de Alwis Managing Director Ma's Tropical Food in an interview with the Daily News. The ISO quality award was presented to the company after stringent tests carried out by an assessor from Australia. The final report was submitted two months ago. The company maintains factory standards, and a close interaction with outgrower farmers who supply spices, banana, and mango for processing. "The outgrower extent that the company maintains through extension services is approximately 800 acres mainly concentrated in the Matale District," de Alwis said. New technology has been introduced to ensure higher crops and better yields. A case in point, he said was the culture of mango. Through the introduction of new agricultural methods and drip irrigation and intensive manual cross pollination they are able to harvest fruit every three months. A feature of their services was regular visits to farm plots to constantly monitor and advise farmers of these newer trends." The company does need to make profits, but not at the expense of his field team or outgrowers. This was in large part the theme in implementing various systems which were introduced as part of extension services accomplished over a period of time. The Company which was first a propriety system was converted to a professional entity through the introduction of re-structured out sourcing which has had a positive impact on progress of the Company as well as the farmers. In the re-structuring process Professionals and young graduates have been recruited to meet the exacting standards to cater to a critical end user. This has proved to be a progressive step in maintaining its good image, de Alwis said. Value addition was not only in factory practices, but has extended to the farmers as well. Assistance through small loans are part of these services. The company maintains a tract of land approximately 10 acres in extent which is used as a demonstration site to further instruct farmers on the correct methods of crop culture which has been mutually satisfying, he said. Factory practices have been computerised to ensure development of quality standards which include close monitoring of every product line. Faults in manufacture could be identified and rectified. If complaints are received even a month or two later corrections could be made, and the customer invited to visit the factory on an inspection tour to assure that the product leaves the manufacturing plant in good condition. If a retailer, for whatever reason wished to have a particular product withdrawn, it was done promptly, and his money refunded, he said. |
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