The global agricultural system will face unprecedented challenges to food security over the next decade. A combination of population growth, climate change, urban drift and reduced availability of arable land are expected to place a severe strain on food production. There is an urgent need for effective food security solutions to combat world hunger and feed a rapidly growing population that is predicted to reach at least 10 billion during this century..
Fertilizers are one of the most basic requirements for abundant harvests. Advances in fertilizers have almost doubled grain production over the past four decades, producing an additional 60 million tons of crops annually (equating to 190 billion meals per year) while maintaining sustainable land use.
ICL is one of the world’s top ten fertilizer manufacturers and is constantly innovating to deliver advanced crop nutritional solutions for environmentally-friendly precision agriculture.
ICL’s contribution to stopping world hunger is impressive. According to the company’s 2024 ESG Report, ICl fertilizers are enabling:
- The Feeding of 400 million people daily.
- Producing 430 billion meals per year.
- Delivering 270 trillion calories annually.
Apart from developing next generation fertilizers to improve food security, ICL R&D is also producing new technologies that enhance food quality, extend the shelf life of food products, and enable sustainable farming.
The Essential Role of Fertilizers in Food Security
Fertilizers have played a vital role in agriculture and food security since our prehistoric farming ancestors discovered that crops grow better when they are exposed to manure or decayed organic matter. Modern fertilizers are calibrated to provide optimal combinations of core nutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to encourage plant growth, health and yields. The simple process of optimizing soil fertility with NPK fertilizers is one of the most straightforward food security solutions.
The Urgent Need for Food Security
To put the relationship between fertilizers and food security into context, it’s necessary to consider two stark facts relating to world hunger:
- 3.1 billion people lack access to a healthy diet
- 1 in 10 people suffer from hunger.
Fertilizers are arguably the most powerful tool for improving agriculture and food security. Optimized crop nutrition prevents food shortages, lowers the prices of food staples, and ensures stability across global food systems. Fertilizers alone cannot stop world hunger, but they provide one of the most potent (and simple) food security solutions in that fight.
ICL’s Contribution to Sustainable Agricultural Productivity
Sustainable agriculture is essential for food security. The basic requirement is for growers to maximize – and maintain – production on existing agricultural land, without exhausting the soil or causing other negative environmental impacts. Advanced crop nutritional strategies are key to achieving sustainability (as well as to reducing operating costs for farmers).
ICL fertilizers are designed to optimize nutrient efficiency and enable tailored crop nutrition. Specialized formulations are calibrated to enhance nutrient uptake and improve soil health, while reducing runoff and overuse. ICL’s Controlled-Release Fertilizers (CRFs) are revolutionizing crop nutrition.
In 2024, ICL expanded its agricultural innovation capacity with the acquisition of Nitro 1000 in Brazil and Lavie Bio’s microbiome-based assets and MicroBoost AI technology, strengthening its position in Ag Biologicals. These advances allow ICL to develop sustainable alternatives that improve crop yields and resilience while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs
The eqo.x and eqo.s fertilizers use sophisticated biodegradable coatings to ensure predictable nutrient release with minimal loss and enhanced nutrient absorption (up to 80% improvement in nutrient use efficiency or NUE). Both solutions are in alignment with the ambitious EU Farm to Fork Strategy and Soil Strategy 2030.
Another sustainable ICL solution is Polysulphate. The natural, multi-nutrient fertilizer provides crops with additional essential nutrients, including sulfur, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Polysulphate is certified for organic farming and the slow release granules reduce runoff impact and create a minimal environmental footprint.
Although not actually fertilizers, the ICL range of BIOZ biostimulants can be integrated into a tailored crop nutritional solution to improve plants’ abiotic stress resilience, particularly tolerance to drought, heat, and salinity. They can also strengthen root systems and improve nutrient uptake.
Fertigation (the delivery of soluble crop nutrients through irrigation) is an effective but often overlooked precision nutritional solution. ICL’s Nova Complex Optima contains a state-of-the-art nitrification inhibitor (DMPP) which reduces nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. It improves fertilizer efficiency while safeguarding water quality and preventing groundwater contamination.
ICL continues to pioneer circular economy solutions across its operations. Its PuraLoop® recycled phosphorus fertilizer converts sewage sludge ash into high-quality fertilizers, reducing dependence on virgin phosphate rock and supporting the EU’s critical raw materials strategy. This innovation exemplifies ICL’s dedication to transforming waste into value and creating closed-loop systems that enhance both environmental and economic sustainability.
Future Commitments to Agriculture and Food Security
Looking forward, ICL’s sustainability agenda is firmly anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The company’s focus on precision agriculture, digital tools, and biological innovations empowers farmers to increase efficiency, profitability, and resilience while reducing environmental impact.
By integrating advanced technologies with local agronomic expertise, ICL supports a new generation of data-driven growers who can balance productivity with stewardship of natural resources.
ICL remains committed to expanding its precision agriculture initiatives to allow growers to apply fertilizers more efficiently, minimizing both overheads and environmental pressures. Achieving sustainable agriculture on a global scale depends on the ability of farmers and agronomists to access next-generation digital tools and smart nutrient management systems that ensure optimal nutrient use efficiency.
The company’s long-term vision aligns with international frameworks such as the FAO’s Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life. Through these pillars, ICL is driving innovation that bridges food security and climate action, providing growers worldwide with sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable crop nutrition solutions.
Conclusion
Fertilizers remain key to overcoming world hunger, and ICL is determined to deliver effective, science-based crop nutritional solutions on a global scale. Its strategic vision of a sustainable world agricultural system—where precision agriculture, sustainable fertilizers, and responsible nutrient management boost yields and create an abundance of nutrient-dense food—continues to guide groundbreaking research and partnerships.
ICL is committed to securing food supplies for future generations and welcomes collaboration with innovators, researchers, and stakeholders who share its mission to transform agriculture through technology and achieve lasting food security for all.
