The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition solutions, announced on Friday the launch of a five-year strategic partnership aimed at accelerating scientific innovation in support of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.
This collaboration is part of the Atoms4Food initiative jointly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the IAEA, the Agency and OCP Group stated in a joint communiqué.
Through this partnership, the IAEA and OCP Group will implement a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) that applies nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve the efficiency of fertilizers, enhance the nutritional quality of crops, and strengthen the sustainability of food systems, the same source noted.
Indeed, this strategic partnership is designed to bring tangible benefits to farmers on the ground, particularly in regions facing significant food security challenges.
In the communiqué, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized, “This partnership with OCP represents an important advancement in how a strategic collaboration can amplify the impact of our Atoms4Food initiative.”
The significant commitment of the OCP Group and its on-the-ground expertise, combined with the IAEA’s unique know-how in nuclear techniques, will enable the transformation of cutting-edge science into concrete solutions for farmers, he pointed out.
He continued, “Together, we will produce the evidence-based data and tools necessary to use fertilizers more effectively, grow more nutritious crops, and enhance resilient food systems in the face of climate challenges, particularly in regions that need it the most.”
In detail, the research efforts will focus on optimizing 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 rational nutrient management (the right source, right rate, right time, and right place), thereby providing farmers with practical, evidence-supported recommendations.
Meriem El Asraoui, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OCP Group, noted that this collaboration represents a major strategic milestone for OCP Group and an important step in its mission to enhance global food security.
She added, “By combining the IAEA’s world-class expertise with OCP Group’s deep experience and innovations in plant and soil nutrition, we will generate impactful knowledge, support researchers and farmers on the ground, and advance agricultural practices that promote better yields, improved nutrition, and sustainable environmental management in the long term.”
For IAEA member states, this partnership will produce high-quality data intended to inform public policies, guide fertilizer innovation, and support the transition to climate-positive and nature-friendly agriculture.
It will also strengthen scientific cooperation between Africa, the IAEA, and international research networks, helping countries adopt best practices in nutrient management that enhance soil health and agricultural yields on a large scale, thereby directly contributing to global food security.
The IAEA is the leading global intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established in 1957 as an autonomous organization under the auspices of the United Nations, the IAEA implements programs aimed at maximizing the beneficial contribution of nuclear technologies to society while verifying their peaceful use.