The IAEA and OCP launch a strategic partnership based on nuclear technology for the benefit of soils and crops

As surprising as it may seem, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has long played a little‑known role in agriculture and soil health through the peaceful use of nuclear techniques. In partnership with the FAO, the Agency applies these methods to better understand, protect and improve soils, crops and food security.

Within this framework, the IAEA and Morocco’s OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition solutions, have launched a five‑year strategic partnership to accelerate scientific innovation in support of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. The collaboration forms part of the Atoms4Food initiative, jointly led by the FAO and the IAEA.

Within this framework, the IAEA and Morocco’s OCP Group will establish a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) using nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, enhance crop nutrition and strengthen the sustainability of food systems.

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

"This partnership with OCP represents a significant step forward in how strategic collaboration can amplify the impact of our Atoms4Food initiative," said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

"The significant commitment of the OCP Group and its on-the-ground expertise, combined with the unique nuclear techniques know-how of the IAEA, will transform cutting-edge science into practical solutions for farmers. Together, we will generate the evidence and tools needed to use fertilizers more effectively, grow more nutritious products, and strengthen climate-resilient food systems, particularly in regions most in need."

The research will focus on optimizing the management of key macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, along with essential micronutrients including zinc, iron and selenium.

Using isotopic techniques, the project will generate robust data to support the “4R” principles of nutrient stewardship — right source, right rate, right time and right place — providing farmers with practical, evidence‑based recommendations.

"This collaboration represents a major strategic milestone for the OCP Group and a significant advancement in our mission to enhance global food security," said Meriem El Asraoui, Chief Global Affairs Officer.

"By combining the world-class expertise of the IAEA with the extensive experience of the OCP Group and its innovations in plant and soil nutrition, we will generate high-impact knowledge, support researchers and farmers in the field, and advance agricultural practices promoting better yields, improved nutrition, and sustainable environmental management in the long term."

This partnership will generate high‑quality data to inform public policies, drive fertilizer innovation and support the transition to climate‑positive, 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 boost agricultural yields at scale — directly contributing to global food security.

The IAEA is the world’s principal intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established in 1957 as an autonomous organization under the United Nations, it implements programs that maximize the benefits of nuclear technologies for society while ensuring their strictly peaceful application.

Launched in 2023 by the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Atoms4Food initiative helps countries strengthen food security and address rising hunger.

It provides innovative, context‑specific solutions by leveraging nuclear techniques and other advanced technologies to boost agricultural and livestock productivity, improve natural resource management, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, enhance nutrition and adapt to the challenges of climate change.