The IAEA and OCP are partners to strengthen global food security

The IAEA and OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition solutions, have launched a five-year strategic partnership to accelerate scientific innovation for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. This will directly support cooperation Atoms4Food initiative.

Under the agreement,International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group It will launch a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) to apply nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, improve the nutritional quality of crops, and enhance the sustainability of food systems. The project aims to provide practical benefits on the ground to farmers, especially in areas facing severe food security challenges.

“This partnership with OCP represents an important advance in how strategic collaborations enhance the impact of our Atoms4Food initiative,”Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi male.“OCP’s commitment and field expertise, combined with the IAEA’s unique expertise in nuclear techniques, will translate advanced science into practical solutions for farmers. Together we will generate the evidence and tools needed to use fertilizers more efficiently, grow more nutritious crops and strengthen climate-resilient food systems, especially in the regions where they are needed most.”

Research will focus on improving the management of key macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as essential micronutrients including zinc, iron and selenium. Using isotopic techniques, the project will generate robust data to support the “4Rs” of nutrient management – ​​using the right source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place – providing farmers with actionable, evidence-based guidance.

“This collaboration represents a strategic milestone for the OCP Group and a major step forward in our mission to enhance global food security,”male Maryam Al-Asrawi, Director of Global Affairs at OCP Group.“By combining the expertise of the IAEA, the deep expertise of the OCP Group and pioneering innovations in plant and soil nutrition, we will generate transformative knowledge, support researchers and farmers on the ground, and promote agricultural practices that achieve higher yields, better nutrition and long-term environmental management.”

Benefits to IAEA member states

This partnership will generate high-quality data to inform public policy, guide fertilizer innovation, and support the transition to climate- and nature-positive agriculture. It will also strengthen scientific cooperation between Africa, the Agency and global research networks, helping countries adopt best nutrient management practices that improve soil health and crop yields at scale, contributing directly to global food security.

About IAEA and Atoms4Food

The IAEA serves as the world’s premier intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as an independent United Nations organization in 1957, the IAEA implements programs to maximize the beneficial contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.

The Maize for Food Initiative, launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2023, helps countries boost food security and address rising hunger. The initiative seeks to provide countries with pioneering solutions tailored to their specific needs and circumstances by harnessing the advantages of nuclear technologies alongside other advanced technologies to enhance agricultural and livestock productivity and natural resource management, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition, and adapt to the challenges of climate change.

For more information, visit www.iaea.org

About OCP Group

OCP Group is the trusted custodian of one of the most important natural resources – phosphate – and a world leader in plant nutrition and phosphate-based solutions. Founded in 1920, the group is headquartered in Morocco and operates in Africa. The group operates globally with more than 17,000 employees and more than 350 clients across five continents.

We exploit the full potential of phosphate to produce customized fertilizers, deploy competitive industrial products and solutions, and transform a natural resource into one of economic and strategic value.

Our US$13 billion investment plan (2023-2027) is designed to help us produce cost-competitive, low-carbon electricity, water, ammonia and hydrogen to power our operations, while strengthening our ambition to drive a circular and zero-carbon industrial model.

The Group’s innovation ecosystem – catalyzed by UM6P and INNOVX – drives cutting-edge research, talent development and industrial projects across Africa and beyond.

Our strategic entities, OCP Nutricrops and OCP SPS (Specialty Products and Solutions), and our strategic business unit, Rock Solutions, work to maximize the value of Morocco’s phosphate reserves while creating shared prosperity.

By reviving phosphorus, OCP Group is transforming custodianship into a model for competitive and sustainable industrial transformation – delivering resilient growth for Morocco, Africa and the world.

For more news and information: www.ocpgroup.ma