Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, Deputy General Director, East Africa of African Development Bank Group and Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa (from left to right)
By Edward Makuzva
OCP Africa has participated in the launch of Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development Project alongside other partners, including the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, the African Development Bank, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Global Center on Adaptation .
The OCP Africa project which was launched on 20 May in the presence of HE Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, alongside partners including the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).
“OCP Africa’s support for this project will address the unique soil challenges in Ethiopia, such as salinity and acidity.
By conducting comprehensive assessments of the local soil, climate, and cropping systems, we will develop customized. solutions to improve soil health and fertility.
“This science-based approach, combined with a comprehensive program of capacity building and farmer training in best agricultural practices, will contribute to closing the yield gap in Ethiopia’s wheat value chain” Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa explained.
The project aims to map 1million ha of soils, reach more than 1 million farmers through various programs and establish 4 Farmer Hubs in the country. Collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture has already yielded promising results.
Dr Jamal highlighted that since 2019, OCP Africa has developed and tested customized fertilizer formulas, significantly improving productivity on acid soils.
HE Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa (from left to right)
He reaveled that large-scale demonstrations conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and other regional institutes have confirmed substantial yield increases using these adapted formulas.
“As OCP Africa embarks on this journey, the commitment remains strong to supporting Ethiopia’s efforts towards a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector”, He added.
Meanwhile, OCP Africa’s support for this project will address the unique soil challenges in Ethiopia, such as salinity and acidity. By conducting comprehensive assessments of local soils, climate, and cropping systems, they will develop customized solutions to improve soil health and fertility.
