OCP Group

In a major boost to Ghana’s drive for food security, Morocco’s OCP Group, one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers, has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI) to launch a landmark soil management project.

A high-powered delegation from OCP Group and Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research visited CSIR-SRI in Kumasi to officially kickstart the collaboration. The team was received by Dr. Collins Korbla Tay, Director of CSIR-SRI, together with senior scientists and project staff. Describing the partnership as a “significant milestone”, Dr. Tay said the initiative would address critical soil fertility challenges, especially for maize and rice farmers in the Northern, Volta and Eastern Regions.

“This project will revolutionize how we manage soil health in Ghana,” Dr. Tay noted. “By mapping soil nutrients and developing site-specific fertiliser recommendations, we will help farmers increase yields sustainably and cut down costs.”

The project aims to produce detailed soil nutrient maps, design custom fertilizer blends for staple crops, test improved fertilization methods on farms, and validate scientific techniques to keep Ghana’s soils healthy for the long term.

Dr. Tetteh, the project focal person at CSIR-SRI, said the collaboration would also build local capacity by training Ghanaian experts and developing decision-making tools for farmers and policymakers.

“For us, this is not just research for research’s sake,” Dr. Tetteh stressed. “It’s about empowering farmers with the right knowledge and tools to manage their soils responsibly and productively.”

The Moroccan delegation, which included representatives from OCP Africa, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, and the OCP Foundation, toured CSIR-SRI’s laboratories to observe ongoing soil research trials.

Stakeholders say the project could be a turning point for Ghanaian agriculture at a time when soil degradation is threatening farm productivity across the country. With pilot field projects set to begin in the coming months, farmers in the target regions can look forward to higher yields, reduced input costs, and more climate-resilient farming practices.