OCP Africa’s initiatives in times of crisis were presented in Nairobi during the “Argus Africa Fertilizer 2023” event, which is being held from February 8 to 10 in the Kenyan capital.
Speaking during a panel on ways to facilitate access to fertilizers in Africa, the vice-president of sales and marketing of OCP Africa in Morocco, Habiba Mouttaki, notably highlighted the initiative of the OCP Group, which consisted of the delivery of 550,000 tons of fertilizer for the benefit of Africa, in order to mitigate the impact of soaring commodity prices and droughts, noting that this program has benefited more than 4 million farmers across the continent.
Ms. Mouttaki also underlined the acceleration of the Group’s strategy for the development of the distribution network, through several schemes including the “Farmer Houses”, specially designed to improve the accessibility of products, services and agricultural knowledge. closer to the farmer.
Udongo, to connect smallholder farmers to agricultural input suppliers…
There was also talk of initiatives targeting the farmer directly, in terms of support, capacity building, internships, as well as in connection with markets, she added, referring to in this sense programs such as Udongo, an application launched by OCP Africa with a view to connecting small farmers to suppliers of agricultural inputs and buyers of basic products.
In the same context, Ms. Mouttaki recalled the importance of OCP Africa’s Agribooster program, which connects farmers to markets through partnerships, as well as Farmer Hubs and OCP School Lab, which has benefited more than 530,000 African farmers. , explaining that these flagship programs of OCP Africa are part of the policy of facilitating access to fertilizers.
She also recalled the inauguration of the blending unit in Kaduna, Nigeria, in addition to other major projects that make it possible to respond quickly and effectively to this problem of accessibility.
On the other hand, Ms. Mouttaki stressed that the current crisis is an opportunity for players in the fertilizer sector to innovate and provide more appropriate solutions to the current challenges facing Africa, insisting on the centrality of innovation in approach, financing methods, business model and support methods.
In a statement to MAP, the Deputy Managing Director of OCP Kenya, Hatim Lahmiym, indicated that the participation in this event is an opportunity to forge links with new partners, strengthen existing partnerships and exchange knowledge and experiences with the various players in the field of fertilizers.
It is also an opportunity to inquire regarding new developments in the field, he added, noting that this 2023 edition in Nairobi was marked by a change in the approach of partners, who are no longer satisfied to discuss the commercial aspect, but also the aspects of support and financing, as well as the challenges posed by the recent crises.
Since its launch in Morocco in 2010, “Argus Africa Fertilizer” has established itself as the first continental platform for exchanges in the field of fertilizers and agricultural development.
Hundreds of players take part each year, representing all segments of the industry, including global producers, regional distributors, financial institutions, and NGOs.
With MAP
