AGRA

May 08 2019, Nairobi – Thousands of smallholder farmers are set to benefit from increased access to technologies that support yield increase. This follows the signing of an agreement between the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and UPL (formerly United Phosphorus Limited).

The new deal will see the two institutions work jointly to strengthen the farming ecosystem including last-mile service delivery. This will be achieved by supporting farmers’ access to extension support through the Village Based Advisor (VBA) models and demo plots. Under the new agreement, the partners will further facilitate technology adaptation and introduction to financial solutions among smallholder farmers. Some of the countries to be covered in this partnership include Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Ivory Coast.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President AGRA said that her institution will leverage its ongoing work on policy support and building state capability; building systems for inputs delivery; and strengthening partnerships to achieve the institutions’ shared vision.

“This partnership supports our strategy to increase investment into agriculture by enhancing the development of alliances of key private sector players working along the value chain in fertilizer, ICT, Mechanization and markets. The partnership will increase farmers’ access to yield enhancing technologies to farmers and increase investments in seed production, distribution and training of farmers on good agronomic practices,” added Dr. Kalibata.

On his part, Mercel Dreyer The CEO for Africa Middle East Australia and New Zealand (AMEANZ) said his company will utilize its network of country outlets to distribute hybrids, crop protection solutions and other technologies to be tried and tested by smallholder farmers in order to increase productivity and incomes.

“We are excited to partner with AGRA in helping farmers across Africa access and benefit from yield enhancing technologies including but not limited to hybrid seeds, Fall Armyworm control, good agriculture practices, and post-harvest management to improve productivity, livelihoods, food security, incomes and well-being.” Nishant Pahuja the Managing Director UPL Kenya further said.

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For all media enquiries contact:

Waiganjo Njoroge, Interim Head of Communication, AGRA at wnjoroge@agra.org or Tel. No: +254 723 857 270

About AGRA

Established in 2006, AGRA is an African-led, Africa-based and farmer-centered institution working to put smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming their farming from a solitary struggle to survive to a business that thrives. Working in collaboration with our partners including African governments, researchers, development partners, the private sector and civil society AGRA’s work primarily focuses on smallholder farmers – men and women who typically cultivate staple crops on two hectares or less. In the new strategy for 2017-2021, AGRA is supporting 11 African countries and 30 million smallholder farm households (150 million individuals) to increase their incomes and improve their food security.

For more information, visit www.agra.org

About UPL

UPL is among the top 5 agriculture companies in the world with a presence in 138 countries accessing 90% of the world’s food basket and is leader in global food systems, reshaping the industry with OpenAg. An open agriculture network feeding sustainable growth for all. With pre-sowing to post-harvest crop care technologies, biosolutions, innovative plant health and post-harvest hybrid platforms, UPL creates more choice, faster access, greater value and new levels of sustainability. UPL invests significantly in R+D and innovation for change, with 27 formulation labs, 48 manufacturing plants worldwide and a portfolio of 13000+ registrations. UPL’s OpenAg model unites farmers, customers of all types, food companies, our own people and societies worldwide around one powerful purpose