By Grace Samuel
The World Bank has pledged the sum of $10 million in the next five years to develop a regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health that will transform agricultural practices in West Africa sub- region and the Shell region.
The fertilizer regional hub centre was launched on Thursday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, including ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandje Toure-Litse, World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Chakib Jenane, and OCP Africa’s CEO, Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali.
The Regional Hub aims to increase yields and income for three million farmers by 2033, improve soil health on 1.5 million hectares of land, and equip 1.5 million farmers to adapt to climate change.
Features of the hub includes cutting-edge laboratory testing and training facilities, cross-sector experts to support development of advanced soil health and fertilizer technologies, and access to rigorous internal scientific research and on-farm testing.
The launch event highlighted the significance of the Regional Hub in empowering farmers with knowledge and tools to improve soil health and achieve sustainable food security, addressing critical agricultural production challenges in the region, and promoting sustainable soil health and optimum fertilizer practices.
Director-General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, stated that the regional Hub is a groundbreaking step towards revolutionizing agricultural practices in West Africa and the Sahel.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandje Toure-Litse, emphasized the critical role of the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub in agricultural development in West Africa.
World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Chakib Jenane, reiterated the bank’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 13.
OCP Africa’s CEO, Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and food systems in Africa.
The regional hub is a partnership effort between IITA, OCP Africa, African Plant Nutrition Institute, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, International Fertilizer Development Centre, and the World Bank, with support from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation, USAID, Norway Foreign Ministry, and Swiss Development and Cooperation.