IAEA and OCP Group collaborate to apply nuclear technologies to improve fertilizer efficiency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group have launched a five-year strategic partnership to strengthen global food security and promote sustainable agriculture through scientific innovation.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will implement a coordinated research project using nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, enhance crop nutritional quality, and support more resilient food systems. The project will directly contribute to the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative and deliver practical benefits to farmers, particularly in regions facing acute food security challenges.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the partnership demonstrates how strategic collaboration can expand the impact of the Atoms4Food program. He noted that combining the IAEA’s expertise in nuclear techniques with OCP Group’s experience in plant nutrition is expected to translate advanced science into practical tools for farmers, helping them use fertilizers more efficiently and build climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Research will focus on the management of key macronutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as essential micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and selenium. By applying isotopic techniques, the project aims to generate data supporting the “4Rs” framework of nutrient stewardship—using the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place—to provide farmers with evidence-based guidance.

According to the partners, the initiative is expected to produce high-quality data to inform public policy, guide fertilizer innovation, and support the transition to climate- and nature-positive agriculture. It will also strengthen scientific cooperation between Africa, the IAEA, and global research networks, enabling countries to adopt nutrient management practices that improve soil health and crop productivity at scale.

The Atoms4Food initiative was launched in 2023 by the IAEA and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to help countries address hunger and food insecurity by using nuclear and related technologies to improve agricultural productivity, resource management, and climate adaptation.