The Gombe State Government has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, Morocco, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and economic growth in the state.
The MoU was signed during a ceremony at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in the Green City of Benguerir. Dr. Barnabas Malle, Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr. Akintunde Akinwande, Head of Digital, signed for OCP Africa in the presence of Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the Chief Operating Officer of OCP Africa, Mohammed Hettiti.
Governor Yahaya expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to deliver substantial benefits to smallholder farmers and the broader agricultural community in Gombe State. He highlighted that the collaboration aligns with Gombe’s vision of becoming a regional hub for agribusiness, commerce, trade, and industry. The partnership aims to leverage OCP Nigeria’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing, technology, and resources to position Gombe State at the forefront of agricultural development in Nigeria.
The partnership encompasses a comprehensive development project addressing productivity and sustainability challenges across the entire agricultural value chain. This includes supporting small-scale farmers with necessary resources, recruiting and training youth as Agricultural Extension Agents, providing fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals, and facilitating access to credit for participating farmers.
Additionally, the partnership involves the annual establishment of five Farm & Fortune Hubs in rural communities with high agricultural potential, offering a comprehensive solution for farm input availability and accessibility. The collaboration also includes the implementation of the More Food Initiative (MFI) project in selected secondary schools in Gombe State to foster agricultural education among students.
Before the signing ceremony, Governor Yahaya and his team toured facilities at the Moroccan non-profit private research university, particularly the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities and academic programs, the Governor directed the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University and the Commissioner of Education to initiate processes enabling Gombe State students to benefit from the needs-based and academic excellence scholarships offered by UM6P, according to a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
