Yara UK have appointed Paul O’Hora, as senior project portfolio manager-OMF. As part of his role, Paul will manage organomineral fertiliser (OMF) development in the UK as well as building relationships with key partners.
A chemist by trade, Mr O’Hora has over 10 years’ experience of working in R&D as well as project and product development for specialty chemical company Lubrizol.
As senior project portfolio manager-OMF, he will be responsible for developing partnerships with partners like waste management companies which are crucial to the success of the new OMF project. He’ll also be involved in the development of a pilot plant which will produce materials for trials in the UK, as well as managing and directing the production of the final commercial product.
OMF development in the UK is an exciting new venture for Yara, and the creation of the new role and Mr O’Hora’s appointment demonstrates the company’s investment in regenerative agriculture and sustainability.
Nutrition for crops
Rather than depleting soils through heavy use of inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides, OMF provide nutrition for crops as well as regenerating soil by adding organic matter and building up its nutrient stores.
Compared with conventional fertilisers, OMF have a lower carbon footprint and they help address one of society’s biggest challenges; recycling food waste. OMF are produced through the upcycling of food waste, which means that the nutrients from the organic waste we throw away go right back into the soil. A great example of the circular economy in action.
Speaking about his new role, he says he is looking forward to making a difference by driving OMF development forward in the UK.
“Improving soil health, upcycling food waste to create a Circular Economy, and moving towards more sustainable farming practices is the future. With OMF we are at the start of the journey, but I’m delighted to be involved with a project that I can see is going to have a huge positive impact on nature and the environment, as well as the resilience and profitability of agriculture.”
