OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Niamey, on the transformation of agricultural value chains.
This partnership, supported by the World Bank (WB), underlines OCP Africa's commitment to sustainable agricultural development and the improvement of soil health and fertility in Niger, OCP Africa said on Friday in a press release.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Niamey, attended by Niger's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, its Minister of Mines, World Bank representatives and key stakeholders from the agricultural and mining sectors.
This tripartite partnership, stemming from the agreement signed between OCP Group and the World Bank on the sidelines of the Marrakech Annual Meetings in October 2023, aims to transform the agricultural sector through innovative and inclusive initiatives designed to benefit Niger's smallholder farmers, the same source added.
"It is a great honor for us to partner with the World Bank in this ambitious initiative to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Republic of Niger. The goal is to ensure food security and contribute to the sustainable development of soil health and fertility, said Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, Managing Director of OCP Africa, quoted in the press release.
This partnership, based on collaboration and innovation, will provide Nigerien farmers with "the necessary tools and knowledge to sustainably increase their productivity and secure their livelihoods," he added.
"By leveraging the expertise of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the support of the World Bank, we are confident in the success of this transformative initiative," he pointed out.
For Niger's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Ousmane Elhadj Mahaman, "this strategic partnership with OCP Africa embodies an innovative and integrated approach, in which the UM6P's expertise plays a key role."
"Thanks to its support in strengthening the technical and operational capacities of local players, UM6P contributes to the establishment of modern, sustainable agriculture, while supporting research and innovation at the service of Niger farmers," he added.
The partnership is based on six key initiatives aimed at sustainably transforming Niger's agricultural sector. These include improving soil health and fertility through accurate mapping and innovative fertilization models.
In addition, new-generation Agricultural Service Centers will be set up to offer farmers simplified access to quality inputs, mechanization tools, irrigation systems, financing and market opportunities, according to the press release.
This partnership will also support youth and women entrepreneurship in agri-tech through training, incubation and startup acceleration. Special attention will be paid to giving farmers access to customized fertilizers adapted to the country's soils and crops, the same source added.
