The OCP Group strengthens its commitment to sustainable and resilient agriculture at the ongoing 17th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Meknes, as climate change and water shortages hit hard in Morocco and around the world.
Through research and innovation, the OCP Group, owner of the world’s largest phosphate reserves, strives to help achieve the UN goals of food security and climate action, OCP said in a press release.
The OCP Group, therefore, showcases an integrated model combining science, innovation, industrial expertise, digital services, technology, and social support, with a focus on soil health, water efficiency, carbon sequestration, and empowering women and men in agriculture.
It said that these themes reflect the practical vision of a group that, through diverse initiatives and collaborative entities, works as one team to achieve a shared goal: resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture in Morocco, Africa, and globally.
Soil health:
Recognizing soil health’s critical role in sustainable agriculture, OCP places it at the core of its strategy to address food security and climate challenges, leveraging scientific innovation, advanced technologies, and global partnerships to transform agriculture into a driver of sustainability and prosperity.
The group’s approach focuses on the 4Rs of fertilization (right source, rate, time, and place), boosting productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Through Nutricrops OCP, the group combines digital tools, agricultural expertise, and sustainable practices, offering low-carbon solutions like TSP Green.
OCP Group also leverages research from UM6P and INNOVX to develop innovative technologies in smart nano fertilizers, microbial biofertilizers, and biologically inspired solutions, supported by a digital strategy that has mapped 52 million hectares and created 3,500 personalized formulations.
Water management:
OCP states that Water Green OCP (OGW), established in 2022, is key to Morocco’s water security amid severe shortages by producing water from unconventional sources like seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.
In just four short years, OGW has developed a unique model that relies on fast-track project management, advanced technologies, and fully integrated management to build water production units and treatment plants.
It said that OGW’s model, in partnership with JESA, uses innovative technologies and green energy for long-term sustainability, meeting national and international environmental commitments.
Since 2024, all OCP Group industrial and mining sites have exclusively used non-traditional water sources, achieved through enhanced OGW capabilities and infrastructure.
OGW also provides drinking water to cities like Safi, El Jadida, and southern Casablanca, with plans to expand to Marrakech, Khouribga, Benguerir, and Youssoufia starting in 2025, aiming to meet 100% of their drinking water needs with sustainable sources.
It is also working on agricultural irrigation models using desalinated water, helping to conserve freshwater for strategic agricultural needs. These efforts contribute to long-term sustainability in managing water resources across Morocco.
Carbon as an ally for climate and farmers:
Through its Soil project, the group is exploring the potential of conservation agriculture and carbon farming in Morocco to restore soil health and sequester carbon.
The initiative involves over 2,000 Moroccan farmers in carbon farming and conservation agriculture, aiming to cover 6 million hectares by 2030 across Africa and South America, sequestering 7 million tons of CO2 annually.
These practices transform agricultural land into carbon sinks and generate carbon credits, offering farmers new financial opportunities.
Supported by the Al Moutmir program, which promotes techniques like direct seeding and crop rotation, these projects combine advanced research and technology to analyze soil components and adjust carbon farming and conservation agriculture practices.
People-centered agricultural transformation:
For OCP Group, sustainable farming revolves around people, with technological progress shared and adapted to local realities, focusing over the past decade on four key pillars: training, inclusion, local relevance, and entrepreneurship.
In 2024, the OCP Foundation supported over 89,000 beneficiaries through agricultural, social, and educational projects.
The Al Moutmir program, which includes 120 agricultural engineers across 43 regions, helps farmers adopt sustainable practices, while UM6P has trained over 1,500 agricultural professionals, supported more than 1,000 startups in the agricultural tech and food sectors, and offered courses in plant nutrition, agricultural economics, and irrigation.
OCP Group also invests in industrial platforms with strong regional impact, such as the SP2M program, which will generate over 20,000 direct jobs in Jorf Lasfar and Meskala, focusing on a low-carbon ecosystem centered on fertilizers and local resources.
On the continental level, OCP Group impacts youth, small farmers, and rural communities through initiatives like Agribooster, which benefits 1.1 million farmers in five Sub-Saharan countries, and the OCP Lab School, which provides tailored soil diagnostics.
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