Morocco to supply 1.1m tonnes of fertilizers to BD

OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary of Morocco’s OCP Group, and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), a public agency under the Bangladeshi Ministry of Agriculture, announced on Wednesday a significant agreement for the supply of 1.1 million tonnes of non-urea fertilizers for the 2025-2026 period.

This landmark deal solidifies a long-standing partnership aimed at bolstering Bangladesh’s agricultural self-sufficiency.

The agreement emphasizes supplying appropriate fertilizers and promoting their responsible use, reflecting a shared vision for a sustainable agricultural future for Bangladesh, driven by science, innovation, and ongoing collaboration.

An official Bangladeshi delegation, including BADC and Ministry of Agriculture representatives, recently visited Morocco to finalize the agreement and explore new avenues for cooperation.

The visit included several crucial activities: a signing ceremony for the fertiliser supply agreement; a comprehensive tour of the Al Jorf industrial platform, the world’s largest fertiliser production site; and a visit to Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a key research and development partner of the OCP Group and a leading African hub for applied research and innovation.

The visit served a dual purpose: finalising the commercial agreement and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in agricultural research, training, and technology transfer — all aligned with Bangladesh’s strategic agricultural priorities.

Youssef El Bari, CEO of OCP Nutricrops, expressed his pride in the renewed partnership, saying, “We are proud to renew this partnership with Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation. It demonstrates the continued trust of our Bangladeshi partners and our shared commitment to more efficient and sustainable agriculture. This agreement strengthens a long-term strategic relationship and paves the way for new collaborations in research, training, and innovation.”

BADC plays a critical role in providing essential agricultural inputs to Bangladeshi farmers. This partnership directly supports Bangladesh’s national agricultural priorities, including the Good Agricultural Practices Policy (2020) and the Perspective Plan 2025-2050, underscoring shared goals in sustainability, food security, and innovation. Over the past 17 years, this collaboration has evolved into a strategic alliance focused on aiding Bangladesh’s transition towards sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture.

Ruhul Amin Khan, President of BADC, conveyed deep gratitude to OCP and Morocco for their continuous support to Bangladesh’s agricultural productivity.

He said, “We are very optimistic about strengthening our cooperation in various sectors of Bangladesh agriculture, through innovation, logistical support, technology transfer, training, among others.”

This long-term commitment highlights OCP Nutricrops’ dedication to improving soil health, empowering farmers, and enhancing food security in Bangladesh.

Between 2019 and 2023, the OCP Foundation trained nearly 15,000 farmers (including over 4,000 women) in best agricultural practices to boost productivity and support livelihoods.

This collaboration also exemplifies the strategic importance of South-South cooperation in OCP Nutricrops’ approach. By fostering strong and lasting alliances with key agricultural stakeholders in the Global South, like Bangladesh, OCP Nutricrops promotes local and mutually beneficial solutions that bolster national food security, accelerate agricultural transformation, and advance a common development agenda in emerging economies.