Farmers from West Africa and the Sahel are set to benefit from an agreement signed between OCP Africa and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to foster resilient agricultural systems in the region.
The pivotal agreement which was signed during the official opening ceremony of the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health at IITA’s headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria marks the beginning of a collaboration to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity across the region.
The partnership embodies a shared commitment to sustainable agricultural practices aiming to foster resilient agricultural systems that benefit farmers and the broader community.
Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “In line with ECOWAS’ roadmap and the Nairobi Declaration from the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit 2024, this initiative underscores our commitment to improving soil health and agricultural productivity, with a main focus in West Africa and the Sahel countries. By leveraging our expertise and resources, we aim to facilitate a just and sustainable agricultural transition in the region.”
Sustainable agricultural practices
The partnership highlights OCP Africa’s and IITA’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the two organizations aim to create long-lasting solutions that address the critical issue of soil fertility in West Africa and the Sahel.
OCP Africa supports this initiative through critical projects, including creating digital soil health maps, developing precise fertilization models based on Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and 4R+ principles, and providing farmer-centric services.
This agreement commits both organizations to a series of impactful initiatives and is made possible through a consortium that includes the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), and the University of Mohammed 6 Polytechnic (UM6P), working with IITA and OCP Africa.
The collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in West Africa and the Sahel. The agreement formalizes the commitment of both organizations to contribute to the objectives outlined in the Lomé Declaration on Fertilizers and Soil Health under the auspices of ECOWAS and supported by the World Bank’s Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan.
Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, and Regional Director for Africa, CGIAR, praised the collaborative effort’s vital role in addressing soil fertility challenges and enhancing food security. Dr. Ehui added, “The establishment of the Regional Hub is a critical step towards addressing the challenges of soil fertility and health in West Africa. We are excited to work with OCP Africa to implement innovative solutions to benefit farmers and contribute to regional food security.”
Enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity
The Hub, formally launched at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi on May 8, 2024, aims to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity across the region. It is hosted at the IITA campus in Ibadan, Nigeria, with initial funding from the World Bank and OCP Africa. The Hub is an ECOWAS sub-program governed by a consortium of technical partners, including IITA, IFDC, APNI, OCP Africa, and UM6P, and coordinated by IITA under the auspices of ECOWAS, which chairs the Hub Advisory Committee.
The Regional Hub will focus on soil health and empower farmers through practical demonstrations and capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, the Hub will strengthen national institutions by providing necessary resources and training to enhance their research and extension capabilities.
The signing of the Agreement between OCP Africa and IITA marks a significant milestone in the journey towards enhanced soil health and agricultural productivity in West Africa and the Sahel. This partnership is poised to impact the region’s agricultural landscape, paving the way for a more sustainable and food-secure future.
