Rabat – Fertilizer giant OCP Group and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani conglomerate company Fauji Foundation.
The signing of the agreement seeks to boost and strengthen cooperation between the three institutions, said a press release from OCP.
It added that the signing of the partnership agreement reflects the companies and the university’s “shared desire to develop innovative solutions” to meet the needs of Pakistani farmers, with an ambition to contribute to improving the country’s agriculture sector.
“The MoU will focus on identifying the specific agronomic needs of Pakistani soils, evaluating and developing customized fertilizers to meet them, and optimizing the resources used in the fertilization process,” OCP said.
It also aims to help improve and develop services designed for farmers to help them increase the profitability of the agricultural sector as well as making them aware of balanced fertilization, and the use of adapted fertilizers.
Sofyane El Kassi, CEO of OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary dedicated to soil and plant fertilization solutions, welcomed the signing of the agreement. He said that the “close alliance” with Fauji Group will boost cooperation to develop “new solutions and expand the service offering.”
El Kassi added: “It will also enable us to explore and implement innovative business models for further value creation in the agricultural sector.”
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For his part, Waqar Ahmed Malik, Managing Director and CEO of Fauji Group, reiterated the importance of cooperation between the two groups. With this deal and the ensuing, newfound relationship with OCP Group, he stressed, Fauji Group has “embarked Fauji Group on a path to becoming a prominent player and the only local producer of DAP in Pakistan.”
DAP refers to Di-ammonium Phosphate, which is one of the preferred fertilizers in several countries as it contains different important elements, including Nitrogen and Phosphorus, which are primary macronutrients and are part of 18 essential plant nutrients.
Under the agreement, UM6P is set to mobilize its expertise in agricultural sciences, as well as in research and innovation and agricultural infrastructure to contribute to helping Pakistani farmers adopt balanced agricultural practices, the OCP communique added.
UM6P is “proud to contribute to the dynamics of transformation of Pakistani agriculture,” said Nawfel Roudies, Head of the Al Moutmir Business Unit at the university, stressing that the OCP-affiliated university is determined to work with its partners to “successfully develop a resilient, innovative, and sustainable agriculture.”
The agreement confirms OCP’s growing status in the global food market, with the Moroccan company having recently won plaudits and has earned respect in Africa and much beyond for its commitment to helping international partners and farmers to boost their agricultural productivity amid alarming projections of a worldwide food security crisis.
Last year, OCP was hailed for its contribution of 550,000 metric tons of both donated and discounted fertilizers to help small farm holders across Africa tackle the severe impacts of the global fertilizer and food security crises.
