Niger signs agreement with OCP Africa to boost fertilizer use, agricultural productivity

NIGER – Niger’s Ministry of Agriculture has signed a memorandum of understanding with OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the Moroccan group OCP, to improve agricultural productivity by promoting better fertilizer practices.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Niger’s economy, contributing 47% to the nation’s GDP and employing approximately 26% of its active population. However, the country faces a major hurdle: one of the lowest levels of fertilizer usage in Africa.

In 2021, the application rate of chemical fertilizers in Niger stood at just 0.6 kilograms per hectare of arable land, far below the African average of 26 kilograms and the 50-kilogram benchmark set by the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizers for the Green Revolution in 2006.

Through this partnership, OCP Africa intends to address these challenges by implementing innovative strategies tailored to Niger’s specific agricultural conditions.

 “This partnership, based on collaboration and innovation, will provide farmers in Niger with the tools and knowledge needed to sustainably increase their productivity and secure their livelihoods,” said Mohamed Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa.

Key initiatives under the agreement include the establishment of agricultural service centers to assist farmers, facilitating access to fertilizers adapted to local soil and crop needs, and strengthening the technical capacities of local stakeholders.

One of the flagship projects involves the development of 630 demonstration plots by 2025, focusing on both rainfed and irrigated crops. These plots will serve as practical examples to showcase the benefits of using phosphate fertilizers effectively.

The agreement also aligns with OCP’s broader strategy in West Africa, mirroring a similar partnership announced on October 2 with neighboring Mali. By leveraging cooperation and innovation, OCP aims to empower farmers across the region to increase yields and enhance food security sustainably.

Recently, the fertilizer giant announced plans to invest 139.1 billion dirhams (US$14.06 billion) in the development of its operations from 2025 to 2027.

This ambitious investment strategy was detailed in the report on public establishments and enterprises included in the Draft Finance Law for the upcoming 2025 budget year.

The OCP Group, a pivotal player in the global fertilizer market, plans to allocate its investments as follows: US$4.5 billion in 2025, US$5.3 billion in 2026, and US$4.3 billion in 2027.

Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.

Newer Post

Thumbnail for Niger signs agreement with OCP Africa to boost fertilizer use, agricultural productivity

Kwara government partners with Olam to boost soybean, maize production

Older Post

Thumbnail for Niger signs agreement with OCP Africa to boost fertilizer use, agricultural productivity

Flour Mills of Nigeria unveils relaunch of Honeywell brand amid inflation concerns