Morocco’s OCP Group Signs MoU To Strengthen Nigeria’s Agriculture
PERSISMA, Rabat – Morocco’s OCP Group and the Fertilizers Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday to strengthen Nigeria’s agriculture industry.
As part of Morocco’s strategy to deepen its diplomatic and economic ties with Africa, numerous bilateral agreements with Ethiopia, Madagascar and, more recently, Nigeria have resulted from a recent royal tour in Africa.
The agricultural sector has received particular focus in this tour and Morocco’s OCP has signed numerous agreements within the framework of its plan to develop African agriculture.
In this context, Morocco’s OCP Group and the Fertilizers Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in the presence of King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari. The MoU details contributions to the Nigerian agricultural sector through the supply of fertilizers which are adapted to local soils and crops, while ensuring farmers’ access to continuous fertilizer supply.
The collaboration between OCP Group and FEPSAN covers a large array of issues relevant to the sector of agriculture. These include the implementation of fertilizing solutions which can adapt to the soils and crops of Nigeria, market supply of fertilizers and the implementation of support measures for local farmers.
A number of initiatives will be included in the collaboration including the intention of developing sustainable agriculture in Nigeria as well as helping farmers to improve their daily lives.
These initiatives involve securing local supplies of fertilizers at competitive prices, sharing a real know-how in the development of local blending structures, promoting innovation and R&D efforts, strengthening local distribution channels and deepening the scope for extending existing agricultural systems.
Nigeria represents one of Africa’s strongest economies with a GDP of $492,986 billion (2016). Though rich in oil, the country began reducing its dependence on crude oil in 2000 in favor of developing agriculture, which accounts for 17.8 percent of its GDP. Developments in the services sector account for more than half of Nigeria’s GDP.
