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The partnership focuses on two groundbreaking projects: Firstly, the space to place initiative leverages precise local data on soil and climate conditions. This information will be used to create a farmer-friendly decision-making tool. Farmers can then access customized recommendations for optimizing crop nutrition solutions based on their specific land and crops. The ultimate goal is to enhance soil health and achieve significant, sustainable increases in crop yields.
Moreover, the rock phosphate amendment project will assess the effectiveness of using phosphate rock and innovative nutrient combinations to improve crop yields and soil fertility. Additionally, a decision-making system will be developed to help farmers identify optimal soil types and crops for this approach.
This four-year agreement fosters collaboration between various stakeholders. The aim is to not only develop these groundbreaking initiatives but also encourage widespread adoption by African farmers.
During her visit to Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, USAID Administrator Samantha Power underscored the importance of the partnership. She highlighted OCP Group’s role in addressing the global food crisis and emphasized the use of geospatial technology to empower farmers with data-driven fertilizer application strategies.
Echoing this sentiment, OCP Group Chairman and CEO Mostafa Terrab expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He emphasized the shared goal of unlocking the potential of African farmers, not only to ensure food security in Africa but also to contribute to global food supplies while promoting sustainable practices that benefit soil health, the environment, and the climate.
The partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations. USAID’s Space to Place initiative joins forces with OCP Africa’s expertise in soil health and customized solutions. OCP Group will invest $30 million dedicated to efficient fertilizer use across sub-Saharan Africa, which complements USAID’s $40 million investment in expanding Space to Place. This combined $70 million investment directly supports the continental action plan established at the recent Nairobi Summit on Fertilizers and Soil Health in Africa.
This collaboration between USAID and OCP Group represents a significant step forward for African agriculture. By fostering innovation and collaboration, this partnership has the potential to deliver measurable results and empower African farmers to achieve greater productivity and food security.
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