Rabat – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Moroccan phosphate giant OCP Group have announced a five-year partnership to support sustainable agriculture and strengthen food systems worldwide.
The collaboration will directly back the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative, according to a statement from OCP.
As part of the agreement, the two organizations will start a coordinated research project using nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, increase crop nutrition, and make food systems more sustainable. The project aims to provide practical benefits for farmers, especially in regions struggling with food insecurity.
Research will focus on managing key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and selenium. The project will create accurate data to support the “4Rs” of nutrient stewardship by using isotopic techniques.
This includes using the right fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place, the statement explained. This guidance will help farmers make better decisions in the field.
The partnership also aims to produce high-quality data for governments, support fertilizer innovation, and encourage climate- and nature-positive farming. It will strengthen scientific cooperation in Africa and globally, and help countries adopt best practices for soil health and crop production.
“This partnership with OCP represents an important advancement in how strategic collaboration can amplify the impact of our Atoms4Food initiative,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
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He added that combining OCP’s expertise with the IAEA’s nuclear technology knowledge we can turn advanced science into practical solutions for farmers.
“Together, we will generate the evidence and tools needed to use fertilizers more efficiently, cultivate more nutritious crops and strengthen climate-resilient food systems, particularly in the regions that need them most,” Grossi said.
Meanwhile, Meriem El Asraoui, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OCP Group, said this collaboration is a “strategic milestone for OCP Group and a step forward for global food security.”
She added that combining IAEA’s expertise with OCP’s innovations in plant and soil nutrition will help farmers and researchers improve yields, nutrition, and environmental care.
The IAEA, established in 1957 under the United Nations, promotes peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The Atoms4Food initiative, launched with the FAO in 2023, uses nuclear and other advanced technologies to boost food security, improve nutrition, reduce food loss, and help countries adapt to climate change.