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At a meeting today attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Morocco’s fertilizer giant OCP emphasized the importance of targeted nutrient use and sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security, particularly in Africa.
During the meeting, which focused on food security, OCP CEO Mostafa Terrab reiterated how customized fertilizers and optimized soil nutrition can unlock Africa’s agricultural potential, enhancing yields and contributing to environmental resilience.
He also discussed the group’s experience in Africa, showing that optimized soil nutrition combined with responsible farming practices cannot only increase yields but also help decarbonize agriculture by contributing to carbon sequestration in soils.
“These agricultural practices, incorporating tailored soil and plant nutrition, have the potential to create a virtuous cycle between” Sustainable Sustainable Development Goals, OCP said in a statement following today’s meeting.
Healthy soils make it possible to achieve several objectives, the statement noted, adding that the approach paves the way for a virtuous cycle that combines agricultural productivity with environmental resilience through technological advances.
It also discussed the growing cooperation between France and Morocco, highlighting the alignment of actions both countries share to promote food security and the transition toward sustainable agricultural and food systems, especially in Africa.
“Morocco, with its strategic positioning and growing expertise in the field, asserts itself as a key player in this approach,” the statement said.
Today’s meeting explored how Morocco and France can drive modern and innovative agricultural practices adaptable to specific soil and plant characteristics, with a view to boosting food security and resilience to climate change.
During the meeting, Moroccan and French experts also exchanged views on the importance of agritech in Africa.
“This illustrates the potential of innovation to promote sustainable agriculture and underscores the need for sustainable investment in agricultural research and development and support entrepreneurship in Africa,” the statement explained, noting that the meeting also served as a reminder that there are innovative solutions that leverage collaboration for an inclusive ecosystem.
OCP has long emphasized its commitment to African food security and the continent’s development.
CEO Terrab has in recent years repeatedly highlighted the importance of fertilizers and the missed opportunities due to lack of use of the beneficial substances in favor of Africa’s development.
“We have to find ways to make Africa contribute positively to global food security. In the meantime, we have to also contribute to Africa’s food security,” Terrab said in a June 2023 interview with Jean Francois Manzoni, the president of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
The CEO also reiterated the importance of fertilizers as a key ingredient that can help improve the continent’s yields and agricultural production.
Of Africa’s potential, Terrab recalled that 60% of the world’s unused arable land is on the continent; but he acknowledged that it is hard to help generalize food security across the world without fertilizers.
For Terrab, soil remains one of the most underestimated assets, describing it as a new weapon to tackle many challenges – particularly climate change through proper agricultural practices.
“We have estimates that soil, if treated correctly, can sequester twice the amount of [of CO2] that we emit, every year on the planet!” he said.
As part of their shared commitment to attaining food security, OCP and French companies signed agreements aimed at boosting sustainable goals.
This latest development comes on the heels of a partnership OCP and the low-carb energy group ENGIE sealed on Monday. Signed by OCP CEO Terrab and CEO of ENGIE Catherine MacGregor, this partnership aims to accelerate OCP Group’s energy transition.
The signing ceremony was held in Rabat as part of France President’s State visit to Morocco.
OCP also entered into a new agreement with Bpifrance and the French Development Agency (AFD) to boost the decarbonization of Morocco’s industrial fabric as well as sustainable development and inclusive agriculture.
Signed by Terrab and the Director of International and European Affairs at Bpifrance Isabelle Bebear, the partnership reflects the three groups’ commitment to support strategic projects developed by the Moroccan fertilizer company in collaboration with French companies through financing, investment, and guarantee tools.
