Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, has reiterated that the state is ready to support investments capable of driving economic growth and impact livelihood.
Tambuwal said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of OCP Africa’s $13 million fertilizer blending plant with a production capacity of 200,000 MT per annum and training facilities for farmers, fertilizer blenders, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
He said Sokoto State has one of the largest deposits of high-quality phosphate in Nigeria, which makes the establishment of the plant there a big step towards making fertilizer readily available and affordable to all farmers in the state and the northern region.
OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the world’s leader in the phosphate industry and its derivatives, OCP Group, said the blending plant, which will commence operation in July 2021, has the capability to blend NPK with micronutrients.
The project will contribute significantly towards the achievement of the food security goals of the country.
Caleb Usoh, deputy managing director of OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Ltd said facilities that will be at the blending plant include the modern NPK fertilizer blending equipment, process building/warehouse, administrative building, trailer park, other ancillary facilities, and a One-Stop-Shop for farmers to access training and all farm inputs.
Usoh said the blending plant – Sokoto Agricultural Centre of Excellence, which will be developed on 10 hectares of land made available by the Sokoto State Government at Kalambaina industrial layout in Wamakko local government area, will provide direct jobs for 75 persons and also serve as a center of training for fertilizer manufacturers, farmers, and other members of the agricultural value chain.
He explained that siting the plant in Sokoto goes a long way in strengthening and expanding the relationship between the company and the government and people of Sokoto as other initiatives are done in the state include the setting up of five One Stop Shops in Wurno, Goronyo, Tambuwal, IIIelah and Kware to enhance the accessibility of inputs to farmers across the state.
Other interventions of OCP in Sokoto State included its COVID-19 Palliative Project where 8,453 farmers gained access to training and subsidized fertilizers at N4, 500/50kg bag, the deployment of OCP School Lab Project; an innovative program aimed at increasing the yields and income of smallholder farmers through Mobile soil testing and effective agronomical training.
The company had also, empowered 13 Agripromoters with Motorbike/Tricycles and Electronic tablets to provide extension services across the state.
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