ETHIOPIA – OCP Africa, a leading provider of fertilizer and agriculture solutions in Africa, in partnership with the Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development Project, aimed to bolster resilient and sustainable agriculture.
The event followed the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health summit that was recently held in Nairobi, Kenya, representing a significant step forward in addressing soil health issues affecting tens of millions of hectares of land in Ethiopia.
Launched on 20 May, the ceremony was officiated by Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Girma Amente and other representatives from other partners like the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Netherlands, and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA).
Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa, outlined the objectives of the project, highlighting that 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 customized solutions to improve soil health and fertility,” he said.
Dr. Mohamed explained that the 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.
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.
This is not the first time OCP group is collaborating with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr Jamal highlighted that since 2019, OCP Africa has developed and tested customized fertilizer formulas, significantly improving productivity on acid soils.
Large-scale demonstrations carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and other regional institutes have also 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.
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