Innovation and R&D

INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURE AT THE HEART OF OUR STRATEGY

Attaissir - digitizing the
upstream agricultural sector

AI for weed detection, insect and pest damage and nutritional deficiencies

Intelligent irrigation
control

Reasoned
fertilization

Drone and crop
protection

Smart
farm

DIGITALIZATION FOR OPTIMUM CUSTOMER RELATIONS

The “ATTAISSIR” solution, has been launched since 2018, to meet the requirements of sugar plant crops as well as the expectations of the 80,000 partner farmers in terms of mobility, input regulation, technical and agronomic support and crop planning.

The solution enables the farmer to obtain agricultural inputs quickly, to access mechanical services at the right time, and to consult his deliveries in real time right up to payment by bank transfer. This system enables the sugar factory to monitor all cultivation operations and the state of development of each plot in real time.

In addition, it enables the 103 agricultural input distribution centers to track product deliveries and stocks, and the 262 mechanical services companies to monitor in real time all operations carried out by over 2,000 agricultural machines connected to the system. The entire transport fleet is now connected to the ATTAISSIR system, enabling on-the-spot encoding and optimization of transport times.

APPLICATION OF AI AND DRONE TECHNOLOGY TO SUGAR BEET CULTIVATION

• Development of platforms based on AI and drone imagery
Detect and geolocate weeds and diseases using drone imagery
Distinction between mono and dico and early identification of critical weed species (Mallow, Mustard, Thistle, Dill, etc.)
Stand calculation by location within the plot
Early detection of low population plots and immediate action plan
Early detection and identification of weed species, diseases and insects & pests
Determination of the density of weeds, diseases, insect and pest damage by location within the plot.

APPLICATION OF AI
AND DRONE TECHNOLOGY ON STOCKINGS

Productivity improvement

Coverage

– Diagnosis of 100 ha against 20 ha/day by AI
– Reducing the use of pesticides
– Improved performance
– Farmer satisfaction
– Saving the environment
– 80% process water savings

USING BIOMASS AS A BIOLOGICAL FUEL

Biomass, such as wood, agricultural residues and organic waste, is a renewable energy source, contributing to sustainability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

As part of its strategy of sustainable development while optimizing its energy costs, COSUMAR encourages the production of green energy by using biomass such as bagasse, wood chips and olive pomace in its energy production process to carry out its industrial operations.

Biomass is a renewable energy source that has a significant impact not only on costs, but also on the environment:

Reduction in Carbon Emissions (+ 40,000 tons of CO2 avoided annually)
Organic and agricultural waste management
Ecological footprint

COSUMAR, A WORLD PIONEER IN SOLAR DRYING OF SUGAR BEET PULP

During the 2022-2023 campaign, COSUMAR introduced an innovative new technique using solar drying of sugar beet pulp to produce pellets rich in fiber and vitamins for livestock. This technique, which replaces a process using fuel oil, has led to a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions and significant savings in overall energy consumption. COSUMAR has invested 100 million dirhams and dedicated́ 40 ha to this innovation, becoming a global pioneer in this field. Morocco is thus one of the TOP 3 countries to have adopted́ this technique, along with the United States and Spain.

3 UPSTREAM AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION

As a leading sugar company, Cosumar has embarked on the development of the stevia plant in Morocco in order to offer sweetening solutions adapted to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and to potential market demand for natural sugar with 0 calories.

Achievements:

– Installation of a ‘Stevia rebaudiana’ production platform to better understand the requirements and potential of this species;
– Conducting a research and development program on cultivation techniques to optimize yields of biomass, nutrients, extracts and active ingredients;
– Mastery of the stevia plant cultivation protocol and the economic balance sheet;
– Selection and registration of the high-performance variety in the official catalog;
– Continuation of a program of genetic selection and conformal multiplication of new Stevia genotypes rich in Steviols glycosides;
– Development of the stevia cultivation protocol;
– Certification of organic stevia plots.

DEVELOPMENT OF CANE AND ORGANIC SUGAR

COSUMAR recently began growing organic sugar, creating a new sector to meet the growing demand for organic products on the national and international markets. As part of a pilot project, the Group has planted 119 hectares of organic sugar cane. Thanks to its mastery of the extraction protocol, COSUMAR is able to produce certified organic sugar in compliance with the highest organic production standards. Organic sugar produced in this way is intended to meet the needs of both the local market and export markets. The Group’s commitment to sustainability, environmental protection and improving the incomes of organic sugarcane growers will enable it to meet the expectations of consumers looking for products adapted to their consumption patterns.

ONGOING MODERNIZATION OF PRODUCTION FACILITIES

As part of its strategy to modernize its industrial facilities and improve its operating performance, COSUMAR has invested steadily and considerably in recent years. Investments total over 10 billion dirhams. This strategy has provided COSUMAR with adequate sugar plant processing and refining capacity to meet all the country’s white sugar needs. Thanks to these investments, the Group has been able to increase its sugar production capacity, while improving the quality of its products. Modern production equipment and technological innovation have helped to maximize industrial efficiency and reduce production costs. Manufacturing processes have also been modernized. The aim is to guarantee sustainable, environmentally-friendly production. The Group has implemented efficient energy management systems to optimize consumption and reduce environmental impact. At the same time, COSUMAR has developed a strategic storage policy to guarantee the country’s security of supply. This storage capacity now stands at over 950,000 tonnes, ensuring continuity of sugar production even in the event of major fluctuations in demand.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND CYBERSECURITY AT THE HEART OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS & DT CHALLENGES

With a view to continuously improving its management processes and increasing the Group’s resilience in the digital age, the Information Systems and Digital Transformation Department has deployed several cross-functional IT projects and transformation programs. These include:

the deployment of a centralized purchasing platform, enabling accelerated supplier integration, self-service for partners, and dematerialized relations to streamline operations.
digital transformation of the customer journey, with the aim of ensuring customer centricity, eliminating intermediate steps and documents, and guaranteeing a 360° view for proactive business management.
the restructuring of current IS architecture: from a data and application architecture to a technological architecture.
The development of a digital culture within the Group. On the cybersecurity front, several projects have been deployed, including the setting up of a remote IT backup site: the Disaster Recovery project, and the creation of a new managerial function, “RSSI”: Head of Information Systems Security, aimed at establishing a security governance framework, mitigating cyber-risks and guarding against any potential cyber-attack.