The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on agriculture development programmes that target sub-Saharan rural farmers, particularly women and youth. The planned interventions will see a marked improvement in food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through joint programming, shared learning, and resource mobilisation.
This MoU is a collaboration agreement as part of the Global Affairs Canada funded 4R Nutrient Stewardship project in Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal being implemented by Fertilizer Canada, Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada, and African Plant Nutrition Institute.
“Fertilizer Canada is pleased to be partnering with OCP Africa and APNI to facilitate knowledge transfer; and to translate lessons learnt from 4R Nutrient Stewardship project in Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal to other Sub-Saharan African country contexts. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to improve food security, promote climate-smart agriculture, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” said Clyde Graham, Executive Vice President of Fertilizer Canada.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework has demonstrated that scientifically based and site-specific application of organic and commercial fertilizers that come from the Right Source at the Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place® has potential to boost small farmers’ yields and incomes while improving environmental sustainability. Fertilizer Canada, OCP Africa and APNI have complementary objectives and goals to increase agricultural productivity and standards of living in Sub Saharan African countries through cost-effective and environmentally responsible soil management and enhancement to increase food production for smallholder farmers.
“Transforming African agriculture and improving smallholder farmers’ livelihood requires a partnership-based and inclusive approach. We are glad to collaborate with Fertilizer Canada to design and implement high-impact initiatives to support smallholder farmers”, said Dr Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP AFRICA.
“APNI looks forward to expanding this highly effective partnership to expand the development and delivery of science-based solutions to guiding appropriate source, rate, time, and placements of fertilizer application to build resilience and sustainability within the diverse farming and food production systems across Africa”, said Dr Kaushik Majumdar, Director General of APNI.
APNI, Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa and are committed to work for an agriculture which is broadly inclusive, innovative and resilient, and that also includes the participation, leadership and drive of youth and women.
