Climate Adaptation Unlocking Value Chains with the Power of Technology 2025

OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition solutions from Morocco, aspires to transform soil health, enhance carbon sequestration and boost farmers’ long-term productivity by driving a just agricultural transition through the development of sustainably produced, customized fertilizer solutions and smart farming practices. Challenge: Climate change threatens cereal yields amid rising demand Cereals, such as wheat, rice, soybean and maize, are the mainstay of human consumption but are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. By 2050, cereal production could fall by 11%, with strong geographic disparities, due to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, extreme weath- er events and the loss of suitable agricultural lands, which together create a double impact on yield and the availability of land. Meanwhile, the demand for cereals will grow by up to 60% due to population growth and biofuel development, exerting greater pressure on the world’s food systems. To address this dual threat, food systems need to shift rapidly to agricultural practices that boost productivity while helping farmers adapt to a hostile climate. Action: Tech-driven, collaborative ecosystem for sustainable agriculture Against this backdrop, OCP launched a programme aimed at helping small farmers to combat the impacts of climate change. The objective is to secure food supplies by promoting sustainable farming through advanced technology and agronomic expertise: –Precision farming: OCP’s Tourba platform provides smallholder farmers access to expert advice by integrating satellite imagery, weather data and soil analysis. It monitors carbon sequestration in soils and develops recommendations for fertilizer usage and irrigation, helping farmers optimize their yields while maintaining soil health. OCP also deploys mobile laboratories to test soil fertility and provide farmers with tailored recommendations for plant nutrition. The process not only reduces costs but also minimizes environmental impacts such as soil degradation and water contamination. –Digital agri platforms: OCP’s Pocket Agronomist, an AI-driven chatbot, provides farmers with 24/7 access to customized agronomic advice based on soil, crop and local climate data. The Agribooster programme allows farmers to connect with input suppliers, financial services and market intermediaries. OCP has also helped accelerate the use of climate-smart practices such as conservation tillage and drip irrigation, which helps farmers adapt to increasingly erratic weather patterns. Results OCP’s success is rooted in its collaborative approach. Backed by an extensive network of partners, such as UM6P (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University), the World Food Programme and local governments, OCP integrates the latest agronomy and climate resilience science while promoting access to resources and markets for smallholder farmers. Since 2018, OCP’s initiatives have reached 2.5 million smallholder farmers and aim to support 4 million in 2024 across Africa and Brazil, boosting both productivity and sustainability. For example, farmers have reported yield increases of up to 21% in three years, while fertilizer-use efficiency has improved by over 20%, reducing cereal farming’s environmental footprint. That translated into a 23%- 34% rise in farmers’ net profit margins. The next phase will focus on scaling digital advisory platforms by integrating AI-driven crop monitoring systems, offering predictive analytics of climate risks and deploying blockchain technology to enhance supply chain transparency and traceability. By developing collaboration platforms, OCP aims to ensure that smallholder farmers not only survive but also thrive despite the climate crisis.CASE STUDY 1 Building tech-driven resilience in cereal value chains Sources: OCP Group, FAO, IFPRI, World Economic Forum, BCG analysis.34 Climate Adaptation: Unlocking Value Chains with the Power of Technology 17