UM6P, OCP Fertilizantes, OCP Nutricrops, and Embrapa Forge Partnership to Advance Sustainable Agricultural Innovation
Benguerir, Morocco – February 24, 2025 – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), OCP Fertilizantes, OCP Nutricrops, and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) announce the signing of a cooperation agreement to strengthen research and development in sustainable agriculture. This collaboration seeks to develop innovative solutions to address global challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability.
The agreement provides for the implementation of joint projects focused on the transfer of advanced agricultural technologies, the training of researchers and students, as well as the improvement of nutrient use efficiency and the promotion of environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The partners are also committed to fostering knowledge exchange and expertise sharing between Morocco and Brazil, thereby strengthening South-South cooperation.
“This partnership aligns with our vision of leveraging science and innovation as catalysts for the sustainable transformation of agriculture. By mobilizing the most advanced knowledge and technologies, we are working to shape a future where agriculture becomes a driver of prosperity, resilience, and balance for our planet,” said Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P.
For the president of Embrapa, Silvia Massruhá, the future scenario reinforces the need for strategic actions that contribute to sustainable food production, which depends on resources and technologies that can be shared between countries. “In this context, Embrapa has acted very strongly, participating not only in the formulation of national public policies, but in the international scenario, since it is a global agenda that has impacts on the producer in the field and on the domestic and foreign markets“, she comments.
The planned initiatives include the development of innovative fertilizers, the application of digital agriculture techniques, crop biofortification, and the promotion of a circular economy in the agricultural sector. A scholarship program will also be established to facilitate academic exchanges and enhance the capacities of researchers and students from both countries.
“At OCP Fertilizantes, we remain deeply committed to putting the needs of farmers at the heart of everything we do. We are excited to join forces and explore innovative ideas that will drive sustainability and prosperity in agriculture, both in our countries and globally. By combining our knowledge and cutting-edge solutions with Embrapa’s globally recognized expertise, we aim to empower farmers to increase both the yield and nutritional quality of their crops, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future for people and the environment”, stated Marcos Antonio Stelzer, CEO of OCP Fertilizantes.
“This Master Research Agreement embodies our commitment to leveraging science and innovation in the service of a more sustainable, resilient, and productive agriculture while adapting to the specificities of different soils and crops. By combining research and industry, this collaboration reflects our shared dedication to developing tailored scientific solutions that address farmers’ needs and contribute to enhanced global food security,” added Youssef El Bari, CEO of OCP Nutricrops.
This strategic partnership illustrates the commitment of the four institutions to actively contribute to a more sustainable and innovative global agriculture by leveraging their complementary expertise and strengthening ties between Morocco and Brazil.
About University Mohammed VI Polytechnic:
University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) is a Moroccan university focusing on developing solutions to specific continental and more broadly global challenges. UM6P is oriented towards education and research, with strong links to industry, business, and innovation. The university commits itself to empowering a new generation of talents that will build and lead the future of Africa. It has a total of 7229 students, including 995 PhD students, with a research and academic community representing 40 nationalities.
UM6P sets sight on responding to the various needs of African economies. From its main campus in Benguerir, near Marrakech, and its branches in Rabat, Laayoune, Paris, and Montreal, the university offers a new kind of learning environment, inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship through its Living Labs and peer-to-peer learning philosophy.
With academic departments and research programs spanning science and technology, business and management, humanities, and medicine, and based on a research solving-problem approach, UM6P is designed to benefit not only Africa, but the world as well.
For more information please visit https://www.um6p.ma/en
About Embrapa
Embrapa is a public company focused on innovation, which focuses on the generation of knowledge and technologies for Brazilian agriculture. Created in 1973, it is linked to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), to develop the technological basis of a genuinely tropical agriculture and livestock model. The initiative has the constant challenge of ensuring food security and a prominent position in the international food, fiber and energy market.
In dialogue with producers, scientific organizations, and leaders of the State and civil society, Embrapa’s agenda is based on scientific excellence in agricultural research, quality and productive efficiency in crops and livestock, environmental sustainability, social aspects, and partnerships with the productive sector.
For more information please visit https://www.embrapa.br/en/international
About OCP Fertilizantes
OCP Fertilizantes is a subsidiary of OCP Nutricrops which is part of the centenary OCP Group from Morocco, and has been operating in Brazil since 2010, delivering soil and plant nutrition solutions with a focus on sustainability and yield growth.
Its innovative portfolio is built upon data, technology and a strong farmer-centric approach to meet the specific needs of each customer.
As the main supplier of phosphate fertilizers to Brazilian agriculture, OCP Fertilizantes also plays an essential role to increase soil health and help the world deal with the challenge of food security.
For more information please visit www.ocpbrasil.com.br/en
About OCP Nutricrops
OCP Nutricrops is a subsidiary of OCP Group, responsible for developing soil nutrition solutions to address global challenges in food production and sustainability.
OCP Nutricrops provides farmers with a wide variety of high-quality, sustainably produced and customized phosphate-based soil health and plant nutrition solutions, and promotes the adoption of advanced agronomic practices, through collaboration with agronomists and experts across the world. OCP Nutricrops helps farmers access effective and sustainable products that are fine-tuned for the specific needs of their soils, whatever their crop choice and wherever they are in the world.
In addition to its in-house dedicated teams of agronomists, OCP Nutricrops draws on the expertise of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and its international partners, leveraging the latest technological advances and the most accurate agricultural data. Through advanced soil mapping and the creation of customized products, OCP Nutricrops promotes optimal soil health and helps farmers maximize their productivity while protecting the environment and combatting climate change.
For more information please visit www.ocpnutricrops.com
Launch of OCP Nutricrops: accelerating the shift to customized
plant nutrition solutions globally.
OCP Nutricrops, a new subsidiary of OCP Group – the global leader in soil and plant…
OCP Nutricrops announces a strategic investment to increase fertilizer production capacity by 9 million tonnes by 2028
OCP Nutricrops announces a strategic investment to increase fertilizer production …