Fireside Chat with Narjisse Mahmoudi
Flag Bearer of NutribioTek: The Future of Farming

by Sucheta A Wadhwa, Co-Editor, BAW Digest

Narjisse Mahmoudi is the CEO of NUTRIBIOTEK and has held several key positions within the OCP Group. With over 22 years of experience in the global fertilizer industry, Narjisse has built a strong track record in strategic vision, financial governance, high-value M&A execution, and market leadership, driving sustainable growth and innovation in the agricultural sector. She holds an engineering degree and an MBA.

Q1: OCP has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable farming and innovation through several impactful initiatives, including the creation of NUTRIBIOTEK, a company focused on advancing biotech solutions for agriculture. Congratulations! Given the dynamic nature of the industry, what strategic priorities have you set to ensure NUTRIBIOTEK’s continued growth and success?

Thank you. Our strategic priorities at NUTRIBIOTEK are focused on building a strong foundation for sustainable growth in a dynamic industry. As a young company, we are investing in R&D to design innovative solutions that address evolving needs of modern agriculture. In addition to technological innovation, we are establishing key strategic partnerships within the agricultural ecosystem to accelerate our market entry and expand our technological capabilities. These collaborations provide us with essential resources and expertise, enabling us to scale effectively while remaining agile. At NUTRIBIOTEK, we are committed to operational excellence and a customer-centric approach, ensuring that our solutions not only promote sustainable farming practices but also deliver tangible value to our partners and end-users.

Q2: Leading a new company comes with unique opportunities and challenges. Please share, as its leader, what do you see as major opportunities and challenges for NUTRIBIOTEK.

Leading NUTRIBIOTEK offers a compelling blend of opportunities and challenges. We are privileged to operate within an ecosystem of excellence that provides a stable financial foundation and robust commercial and technical support. This advantage not only sets us apart from other young companies but also fuels our innovation and growth in the biotech space for agriculture.

At the same time, we are facing the same challenges inherent to our sector: navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, keeping pace with rapid technological advancements and competing with strong well-established players. With that in mind, we are confident that by harnessing our strategic partnerships, operational agility and the robust support of our dynamic ecosystem, we are well-positioned to transform these challenges into opportunities for sustainable long-term success.

Q3: What leadership lessons have been most valuable in guiding NUTRIBIOTEK’s growth, and what advice would you give to emerging leaders in the bio-agriculture sector?

Effective leadership at NUTRIBIOTEK is built on universal principles that apply across industries, including collaboration, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. These core values help drive growth and maintain a clear strategic vision. However, there are two leadership lessons particularly relevant to the bio-agriculture industry: First, the importance of balancing innovation with scientific validation. In this sector, it is essential to focus on the practical, real-world impact of new solutions—ensuring that they are not only innovative but also proven to work across diverse agricultural environments. This approach can differentiate a business in a competitive market.

Secondly, for emerging leaders in the bio-agriculture sector, continuous learning, fostering strong partnerships and remaining adaptable to technological advancements are crucial for success. My advice to future leaders is to prioritize scientific rigor in the long term and engage in transparent communication with stakeholders to build trust and drive the adoption of innovative solutions.

Q4: As the Managing Director of NUTRIBIOTEK, how would you adapt your leadership style? Has your leadership style evolved since last featured in WIA in 2022?

My leadership style has certainly evolved but it is more of a natural progression, deepening the core values that have always been central to our work. In a young company like ours, it is essential to create a culture of innovation, agility and trust that requires a leadership approach that is flexible and responsive. Encouraging creativity while keeping the team aligned with our long-term vision is key. The values of NIVA (integrity and noble intention), NEWS (commitment to excellence) and LEYD F LVED (mutual support) are the foundation of all our actions. These guiding principles shape how we work, interact and grow, fostering a positive and collaboration among the team.

Q5: Sustainability and regenerative agriculture are key global trends. How is NUTRIBIOTEK aligning with these movements, and what role do you see it playing in the future of agriculture?

At NUTRIBIOTEK, we offer innovative solutions that are complementary to conventional farming practices in the short term, with the expectation of becoming viable alternatives in the long term, helping to reduce resource intensity and environmental impact. Our biological solutions—biofertilizers, biostimulants and biocontrol products—support regenerative agriculture by improving soil health, optimizing chemical use and promoting biodiversity. These solutions help restore natural balances, leading to healthier soil, better water retention and increased resilience to climate change.

Sustainability is at the core of what we do. Our products help farmers adopt environmentally friendly practices that enhance soil fertility and long-term crop productivity, while reducing environmental footprints and input costs. Looking ahead, our goal is to be a key driver of sustainable food production systems, supporting global food security and minimizing the environmental impact of traditional agriculture by ensuring our solutions are scalable, accessible and impactful for farmers worldwide.

Q6: What synergies exist between OCP’s expertise in fertilizers and NUTRIBIOTEK’s innovations in biostimulants and sustainable agricultural solutions to drive continued growth and success in this dynamic industry?

The OCP Group, as a global leader in fertilizers, has established a robust ecosystem of specialized entities that provide invaluable synergies for NUTRIBIOTEK’s growth in the biostimulant and sustainable agriculture sectors. Through our collaboration with UM6P Benguérir (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University), we gain access to cutting-edge research platforms, advanced infrastructure and leading technologies that help us develop innovative solutions. Additionally, INNOVX serves as an innovation hub, fostering next-generation agricultural advancements and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Beyond research and technology, the commercial synergies within the OCP ecosystem are equally valuable. OCP’s extensive network, established market presence and relationships with key players in the agriculture sector provide NUTRIBIOTEK with significant market access and business development opportunities. By leveraging OCP’s commercial reach and distribution channels, we can expand our market footprint and bring our bio-based products to a wider audience. This commercial synergy not only enhances our competitive edge but also accelerates our go-to-market strategy, enabling us to scale efficiently and meet the growing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions. These combined research, technological, and commercial synergies position NUTRIBIOTEK to drive innovation, foster sustainable growth and create long-term value across the industry.