The Cherifian Office of Phosphate signs a historic agreement with the government of Niger

The Cherifian Office of Phosphate signs a historic agreement with the government of Niger. 

The Office Chérifien des Phosphates in Africa (OCP Africa), a branch of the OCP group in Benyamy, signed a historic protocol of agreement (memorandum of understanding) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Niger, related to the transformation of agricultural value chains.

The African Phosphate Office stated in a statement yesterday, Friday, that this partnership, supported by the World Bank, embodies the Office’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development and improving soil health and fertility in Niger.

The agreement protocol was signed during a ceremony held in Niamey, in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Niger, the Minister of Mines, as well as representatives of the World Bank and key players in the agriculture and mining sectors.

The same source confirmed that this tripartite partnership, emerging from the agreement signed between the OCP group and the World Bank on the sidelines of the annual meetings in Marrakesh in October 2023, aims to bring about a transformation in the agricultural sector thanks to innovative and comprehensive initiatives aimed at benefiting small farmers in Niger.

The report quoted the Director General of the African Phosphate Office, Mohamed Anwar Jamali, as saying, “It is a great honor for us to partner with the World Bank in... “This is an ambitious initiative to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Republic of Niger in order to ensure food security and contribute to the sustainable development of soil health and fertility.”

 He added that this partnership, based on cooperation and innovation, will provide farmers in Niger with “the tools and knowledge necessary to increase their productivity in a sustainable manner and ensure their livelihoods.”

 “By benefiting from the expertise of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the support of the World Bank, we are confident of the success of this transformative initiative,” he said.

 For his part, Niger’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Ousmane El Hadj Mahamane, explained that “this strategic partnership with the OCP of Africa embodies an innovative and integrated approach, in which the expertise of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University plays a pivotal role.”

 He continued, “Thanks to the university’s support in strengthening the technical and operational capabilities of local actors, it contributes to creating modern and sustainable agriculture while supporting research and innovation for the benefit of farmers in Niger,” pointing out that this cooperation constitutes “an essential lever to achieve our common goals.”

 This partnership is based on six basic initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable transformation in... The agricultural sector in Niger. It is about improving soil health and fertility through accurate mapping and innovative fertilization models.

 In parallel, new-generation agricultural service centers will be established to enable farmers to have seamless access to high-quality inputs, mechanization tools, irrigation systems, financing, and opportunities provided by the market, according to the communication.

 The same source added that this partnership will also support entrepreneurship among youth and women in agricultural technology through training, incubation, and accelerating the pace of startup companies. Special attention will be given to enabling farmers with customized fertilizers adapted to the soil and crops of the country.

 In addition, the Office Chérifien des Phosphates in Africa and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University will work to strengthen the technical and operational capabilities of agricultural distributors, as well as support national institutions for agricultural research and development, in particular the General Directorate of Agriculture and the National Institute for Agricultural Research in Niger.

 According to the African Phosphate Office, approximately 230 experimental plots of land will be created, most of them in irrigated crops, in cooperation with local partners such as undefined The National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger and the General Directorate of Agriculture.

 These efforts will continue during the winter season of 2025, with the addition of 400 experimental fields designated for winter crops to complement irrigated crops. Overall, approximately 630 experimental fields will be created, 400 of which will be allocated to winter crops (millet or aylan, cowpeas, and rice) during the next winter season, and 230 for irrigated crops during the 2025 season, including rice, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other crops.

 OCP Africa renews its commitment to strengthening long-term partnerships that stimulate sustainable development throughout Africa, noting that this cooperation with the Republic of Niger should become a model for partnership between the public and private sectors in the region, contributing to the resilience and prosperity of the agricultural sector in Niger. partner undefined