The Morocco fertilizer giant, OCP Africa, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bauchi State government on four critical areas of collaboration to enhance productivity and food security in the state.
Caleb Usoh, OCP Africa’s country manager for Nigeria, signed the MoU in Abuja alongside Samaila Adamu Burga, Bauchi State’s commissioner of agriculture and rural development.
The commissioner noted that the MoU will allow the government to reach farmers in remote areas in order to develop appropriate soil -specific fertilizers, which will in turn support the development and sustainability of the state’s agricultural sector.
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OCP Africa is a subsidiary of OCP Group, a leading global provider of phosphate fertilizer and its derivatives that develop fertilizer solutions on the continent.
The organization works with partners in many different African governments, non-profits and private enterprises to connect farmers to the agricultural services, knowledge, and resources they need in order to prosper.
Usoh explained that four complementary areas of collaboration are being pursued: the development of inputs distribution through the OCP One -Stop- Shop, the deployment of soil testing solutions, the implementation of the Agribooster project in the state and an engagement in cooperative efforts with the state’s institutions of higher learning.
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He said the agreement would cover a wide range of activities like recruiting and training youths as agricultural extension agents, reaching smallholder farmers and other tasks.
He further reported that both parties have agreed to collaborate in setting up and equipping five centers for agro-inputs distribution and retail in very rural, under-served farming communities with high agriculture potentials across Bauchi State.
According to the OCP manager, they have designed several outlets to create a platform for different companies and service providers across the value chain to interact with farmers in the provision of various goods and services.
