Morocco’s OCP Group discusses soil health cooperation with Punjab

LAHORE: A delegation of Morocco’s OCP Group (Office Chérifien des Phosphates) met with Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Thursday to discuss cooperation in improving soil health, promoting balanced fertiliser use and developing customised fertilisers according to soil requirements. The meeting, held at the minister’s office, was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Shakeel Ahmad Mian, Special Secretary Agriculture Agha Nabeel Akhtar and other high officials. The OCP Group delegation briefed the participants on the use of phosphate fertilisers and the development of customised fertilisers based on soil requirements. Discussions also covered nutrient requirements of major crops, including wheat, rice and cotton, and potential areas of cooperation to improve soil health and promote balanced fertiliser application across Punjab. Kirmani said balanced and proportionate application of fertilisers according to crop nutrient requirements was essential for increasing per-acre yields. He noted that wheat was the largest crop in Punjab and ensuring the availability of fertilisers for the upcoming wheat crop remained a top priority. Emphasising the importance of soil analysis for determining fertiliser requirements, he said that, on the directions of the Chief Minister Punjab, farmers were being provided doorstep soil testing facilities under the Labs on Wheels initiative. He added that Punjab would benefit from OCP Group’s expertise and experience in improving soil health. Secretary Agriculture Shakeel Ahmad Mian said soil health was among the top priorities of the agriculture department, adding that the Labs on Wheels initiative was helping promote the balanced and scientific use of fertilisers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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