OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, signed, in Niamey, a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Niger, relating to the transformation of agricultural value chains.
This partnership, supported by the World Bank, 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 during a ceremony in Niamey, in the presence of Niger’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, the Minister of Mines, representatives of the World Bank and key stakeholders from the agricultural and mining.
This tripartite partnership, arising from the agreement signed between the OCP Group and the World Bank on the sidelines of the annual meetings in Marrakech in October 2023, aims to transform the agricultural sector through innovative and inclusive initiatives designed to benefit small farmers in the Niger, specifies the same source.
“It is a great honor for us to partner with the World Bank in this ambitious initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the Republic of Niger to ensure food security and contribute to the sustainable development of health and fertility soils,” declared Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, General Director of OCP Africa, quoted in the press release.
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He added that this partnership, based on collaboration and innovation, will allow farmers in Niger to “have the tools and knowledge necessary to sustainably increase their productivity and secure their livelihoods”.
“By leveraging the expertise of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the support of the World Bank, we are confident in the success of this transformative initiative,” he argued.
For his part, the Nigerien Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Ousmane Elhadj Mahaman, affirmed that “this strategic partnership with OCP Africa embodies an innovative and integrated approach, where the expertise of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University ( UM6P) plays a central role”.
“Thanks to its support in strengthening the technical and operational capacities of local actors, UM6P contributes to the establishment of modern and sustainable agriculture, while supporting research and innovation for the benefit of Nigerien farmers,” he continued, stressing that this collaboration is an “essential lever to achieve our common objectives”.
The partnership is based on six key initiatives aimed at sustainably transforming Niger’s agricultural sector. This involves improving soil health and fertility through precise mapping and innovative fertilization models.
At the same time, 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, the press release said. .
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He adds that this partnership will also support the entrepreneurship of young people and women in agri-tech through training, incubation and acceleration of startups. Particular attention will be paid to farmers’ access to personalized fertilizers adapted to the country’s soils and crops.
In addition, OCP Africa and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University will contribute to strengthening the technical and operational capacities of agro-distributors, as well as supporting national agricultural research and development institutions, notably the General Directorate of Agriculture and the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger.
According to OCP Africa, nearly 230 demonstration plots will be set up, mainly on irrigated crops, in collaboration with local partners such as INRAN (National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger) and the General Directorate of Agriculture .
This effort will continue during the 2025 winter campaign, with the installation of 400 additional plots dedicated to rainfed crops, in addition to irrigated crops. In total, nearly 630 demonstration plots will be developed: 400 for rainfed crops (millet, cowpea, rice) during the next winter season, and 230 for the 2025 irrigated season, including rice, onion, tomato. , potato, pepper and other crops.
OCP Africa reaffirms its commitment to fostering long-term partnerships that drive sustainable development across Africa, noting that this collaboration with the Republic of Niger is set to become a model of public-private partnership in the region, contributing to the resilience and prosperity of the Nigerien agricultural sector.
