OCP Africa, UM6P Launch Digital Farming School in Ivory Coast
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Loading... - Maryann Kwakye
- 14 Jun 2023
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OCP Africa and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) have initiated the construction of the "Digital Farming School" in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, marking a significant advancement in digital agriculture. The project aims to provide exceptional opportunities for young Ivorians passionate about AgriTech, as stated in a press release.
The ceremony for laying the foundation stone was attended by notable dignitaries including Adama Diawara, the Ivorian Minister of Higher Education, Abdelmalek Kettani, the Moroccan Ambassador in Ivory Coast, Mohamed Hettiti, Vice President of OCP for West Africa, and Bouchaib Boulanouar from UM6P.
The establishment of the Digital Farming School exemplifies Morocco's commitment to fostering mutually beneficial South-South cooperation with Ivory Coast, aligning with the directives of King Mohammed VI, OCP Africa, and UM6P, according to the statement.
OCP Africa has announced that the Digital Farming School, a collaboration between OCP Africa and the Felix Houphouet-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INPHB-Cote d'Ivoire), will be the first branch of UM6P University in sub-Saharan Africa. It will be located in the Technopole of Yamoussoukro, providing an innovative environment for agricultural education.
The inauguration of this groundbreaking institution coincides with the Year of Youth in Ivory Coast, designated by President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, as part of the government's efforts to support educational and technological initiatives for young people.
Over the next 10 to 12 months, the Digital Farming School plans to enroll approximately one hundred young students. These students will receive comprehensive training in Agritech, utilizing an adjacent experimental farm as a practical laboratory, according to OCP Africa.
The establishment of the school is a result of the partnership between OCP Group and the Ivorian Government, with collaboration between the Ministers of Agriculture and Industry under the leadership of Prime Minister Patrick Achi.
To cultivate an ecosystem of innovation, around one hundred Agritech startups will collaborate with the Farming Innovation Program initiated by OCP Africa in partnership with AgriEdge and UM6P. These startups will closely collaborate with the Digital Farming School, providing expertise, mentorship opportunities, and supporting the creation of innovative companies in the agricultural sector.
The Digital Farming School aims to introduce a new training approach in AgriTech, offering young Ivorians a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills in digital agriculture. The curriculum will emphasize practical learning, leveraging a reference digital farm where students can gain hands-on experience through farming activities and foster knowledge sharing among their peers.
Expressing his enthusiasm, OCP Africa CEO Mohamed Anouar Jamali stated, "We are thrilled to lay the foundation stone for the Digital Farming School here in Yamoussoukro, which will open up new perspectives for Ivorian youth in the field of AgriTech. This will reinforce innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digital transformation of agriculture in Cote d'Ivoire and Africa."
