Gombe partners with OCP Africa to revolutionize agriculture, boost economic growth

In a strategic move to transform its agricultural sector and spur economic growth, the Gombe State Government has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OCP Africa, a subsidiary of Morocco’s OCP Group. The agreement aims to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and overall economic development in the state.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at the prestigious Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir, Morocco. Representing Gombe State, Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Barnabas Malle, and Head of Digital for OCP Africa, Mr. Akintunde Akinwande, signed the agreement in the presence of Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya and OCP Africa’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Hettiti.

Governor Yahaya expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its potential to significantly benefit smallholder farmers and the wider agricultural community in Gombe State.

He emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the state’s vision of becoming a regional hub for agribusiness, commerce, trade, and industry. The Governor noted that leveraging OCP Nigeria’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing, technology, and resources would position Gombe State at the forefront of agricultural development in Nigeria.

The comprehensive development project outlined in the MoU addresses key challenges across the agricultural value chain, aiming to support small-scale farmers with necessary resources, including fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals to boost farm productivity.

The initiative also focuses on recruiting and training youth as Agricultural Extension Agents, facilitating access to credit for participating farmers, and establishing five Farm & Fortune Hubs annually in rural areas with high agricultural potential. These hubs will provide integrated solutions for farm input availability and accessibility.

Additionally, the partnership includes the implementation of the More Food Initiative (MFI) in selected secondary schools in Gombe State, fostering agricultural education among students.

During the visit, Governor Yahaya and his team toured the facilities at UM6P, particularly the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Impressed by the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and academic programs, the Governor instructed the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University and the Commissioner of Education to begin administrative processes to enable Gombe State students to benefit from scholarships offered by UM6P.

This landmark MoU between Gombe State and OCP Africa marks a significant step towards transforming the agricultural landscape and driving sustainable economic growth in the region.