The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group have launched a five-year strategic partnership to accelerate scientific innovation for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems, directly supporting the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will establish a coordinated research project (CRP) applying nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, enhance crop nutritional quality, and reinforce food system sustainability. The project aims to deliver practical benefits for farmers, particularly in regions with acute food security challenges.
The research will focus on optimising the management of key macronutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as essential micronutrients including zinc, iron, and selenium. Using isotopic tracing, scientists will generate robust data to support the “4Rs” of nutrient stewardship—applying the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place—to provide farmers with actionable, evidence-based guidance.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated the partnership amplifies the impact of Atoms4Food by combining the Agency’s nuclear expertise with OCP’s on-ground experience and commitment. “Together, we will generate the evidence and tools needed to use fertilizers more efficiently, cultivate more nutritious crops and strengthen climate-resilient food systems,” he said.
Meriem El Asraoui, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OCP Group, described the collaboration as a strategic milestone for the company’s mission to strengthen global food security. “By combining the IAEA’s world-class expertise with OCP Group’s deep experience in plant and soil nutrition, we will generate transformative knowledge to support researchers and farmers,” she added.
The 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 reinforce scientific cooperation between Africa, the IAEA, and global research networks, helping countries adopt nutrient stewardship best practices that improve soil health and crop yields at scale.
The IAEA, the world’s foremost intergovernmental forum for peaceful nuclear technology cooperation, co-launched the Atoms4Food initiative with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2023. The initiative helps countries boost food security by harnessing nuclear techniques alongside advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity, improve nutrition, and adapt to climate change.
OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and phosphate-based solutions headquartered in Morocco, operates in over 350 markets worldwide. The Group focuses on developing customised fertilisers and sustainable industrial models to maximise the value of phosphate resources for agricultural productivity.
The collaboration signifies a targeted effort to merge nuclear science with agronomic innovation, addressing pressing global challenges of hunger, malnutrition, and environmental sustainability through science-driven solutions for farmers.
