Scientific Innovation: IAEA and OCP Group Join Forces for Resilient Food Systems

This collaboration falls within the framework of the Atoms4Food initiative jointly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA, the Agency and the OCP Group said in a joint statement.

Under this partnership, the IAEA and the OCP Group will implement a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) applying nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, enhance the nutritional quality of crops, and strengthen the sustainability of food systems, according to the same source.

This strategic partnership is designed to deliver tangible benefits on the ground for farmers, particularly in regions facing major food security challenges.

Quoted in the statement, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed: “This partnership with OCP represents a significant step forward in how strategic collaboration can amplify the impact of our Atoms4Food initiative.”

The strong commitment of the OCP Group and its field expertise, combined with the IAEA’s unique know-how in nuclear techniques, will make it possible to translate cutting-edge science into concrete solutions for farmers, he noted.

He added: “Together, we will produce the evidence and tools needed to use fertilizers more efficiently, grow more nutritious crops, and strengthen climate-resilient food systems, particularly in the regions that need it most.”

More specifically, the research will focus on optimizing the management of key macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as essential micronutrients, notably zinc, iron, and selenium.

Through isotopic techniques, the project will generate robust data to support the “4R” principles of responsible nutrient management, namely the right source, the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place, thereby providing farmers with practical, evidence-based recommendations.

For her part, Meriem El Asraoui, Chief Global Affairs Officer of the OCP Group, stated that this collaboration represents a major strategic milestone for the Group and a significant step forward in its mission to strengthen global food security.

She added: “By combining the world-class expertise of the IAEA with the deep experience of the OCP Group and its innovations in plant and soil nutrition, we will generate high-impact knowledge, support researchers and farmers on the ground, and advance agricultural practices that promote higher yields, improved nutrition, and sustainable environmental management over the long term.”

In terms of benefits for IAEA Member States, this partnership will generate high-quality data to inform public policies, guide innovation in fertilizers, and support the transition toward climate- and nature-positive agriculture.

It will also strengthen scientific cooperation between Africa, the IAEA, and international research networks, helping countries adopt best practices in nutrient management that improve soil health and agricultural productivity on a large scale, thereby directly contributing to global food security.

The IAEA is the world’s main 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.

Editorial team/le7tv