OCP Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of OCP Africa, all of OCP Group based in Morocco – Africa’s leading fertilizer producer, and Newage Agric Solutions Limited, a leading Ghanaian agricultural firm have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure consistent and sustainable supply of fertilizer for food production in Ghana.
The collaboration between OCP Ghana Limited and Newage will ensure that the right type and quality fertilizers are made available to farmers across the country to support Ghana’s food security needs and support jobs in the agricultural production value chain.
Fertilizer prices have increased across the world since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to price increases, there has also been shortage in key markets resulting in fears that global food security will be affected. OCP Ghana and Newage through these collaborations would ensure supply of quality fertilizers at the right price.
In Ghana, the government’s support through Planting For Food and Jobs (PFJ) has been phenomenal in ensuring sustainable food production. However, farmers face the challenge of dealing with high costs because of the global situation. OCP Ghana and Newage intend to among other things ensure that farmers get fertilizers on time to keep them productive.
The Regional Vice President of OCP Africa – West Africa, – Mr. Mohammed BENZEKRI commended Newage Agric Solutions for the strides the company has made over the past few years and assured the company of OCP Africa’s support to ensure further growth of the agric sector in Ghana.
“We are happy with the work Newage has been doing, and we hope to continue to work with you to ensure continuous availability of fertilizers. We are going to make specific fertilizer blends for the Ghanaian market to ensure that you work with farmers to produce the best yields that will drive Ghana’s economic development forward,” he said.
On his part, the CEO of Newage Agric Solutions, Mr William Kotey, also praised OCP Africa for being a dependable backbone for food production.
“OCP Africa’s work has been phenomenal within the continent. It is great that we are continuing our relations and cementing it further for the future. From the great initiatives you have done and work in Ghana such as Agribooster and free real-time soil testing and recommendation for farmers, I know we can drive growth in production by ensuring that farmers get the right fertilizers, training and help them have and maintain sustainable jobs.”
OCP Ghana and Newage will ensure that local supplies of fertilizers are secured at competitive prices, that there is knowledge sharing in the development of local fertilizer blends, promoting innovation and R&D efforts, strengthening local distribution channels, and deepening the scope for extending existing agricultural systems.
In this regard, OCP Ghana and Newage will work to implement fertilizer solutions which can adapt to the soils and crops of Ghana, build the capacity of farmers to ensure high yields and work to support the general fertilizer value chain in the country.
About OCP Africa
Created in 2016, OCP Africa, a subsidiary of OCP Group, aims to contribute to the development of integrated agricultural ecosystems in Africa.
OCP Africa works hand in hand with farmers to help grow the agricultural potential of the African continent through solutions adapted to local conditions and to the needs of soils and crops. In partnership with a network of partners, including governments, non-profit organizations, and companies, OCP Africa works continuously to put all the necessary conditions for the benefit of farmers.
OCP Africa is present in many African countries through the opening of subsidiaries and/or representative offices (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda). It is also helping to secure the production of competitive fertilizers near major agricultural pools, to strengthen its logistical capacities and to develop new local distribution networks.
More on www.ocpafrica.com
About Newage
Newage Agric Solutions Limited is a wholly-owned Ghanaian company committed to making quality agricultural inputs and services accessible to farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector across the length and breadth of Ghana.
Newage runs the most extensive outgrower scheme in the northern sector of Ghana and is a key partner of growth for smallholder farmers and other businesses in the agricultural value chain.
With over four (4) decades of combined top management experience in the local and multinational agribusiness management, Newage Agric Solutions Limited aims at being the most innovative agribusiness in the Ghanaian corporate space.