OCP Africa announced its participation in the launch of the Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development Project in Ethiopia. The ceremony took place in the presence of Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as well as several international partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).
This initiative, which follows the summit on fertilizers and soil health in Africa held in Nairobi, aims to address soil health issues affecting tens of millions of hectares of land in Ethiopia. Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa, specified the ambitious goals of the project: “OCP Africa’s support for this project will help address the unique soil challenges in Ethiopia, such as salinity and acidity. By conducting comprehensive assessments of local soils, climate, and cropping systems, we will develop tailored solutions to improve soil health and fertility.”
The project includes several key initiatives:
– Mapping one million hectares of soils to better understand and address their specificities.
– Reaching over one million farmers through various training and capacity-building programs.
– Establishing four agricultural hubs across the country to serve as centers for innovation and dissemination of best agricultural practices.
The collaboration between OCP Africa and the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture has already shown promising results. Since 2019, OCP Africa has been working on the development and testing of customized fertilizer formulas, which has significantly improved the productivity of acidic soils. Large-scale demonstrations, conducted in partnership with the ministry and other regional institutes, have confirmed substantial yield increases through the use of these tailored formulas.
With this initiative, OCP Africa reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ethiopia in its efforts to develop a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. The project is a concrete example of how international partnerships and scientific solutions can contribute to food security and agricultural development in Africa.