Seven Examples of Nuclear Technology Improving Food and Agriculture

Seven examples of using nuclear science to feed the world and improve food and agriculture through nuclear technology

Nuclear technology is one of the most innovative methods for improving agricultural practices. Its application in agriculture relies on isotope and radiation technologies to cope with pests and diseases, increase crop yield, maintain soil and water resources, ensure food safety and authenticity, and expand livestock production.



For over fifty years, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency have been committed to strengthening their knowledge and capabilities in this field, and have achieved several successful experiences around the world.

Here are only seven examples of how nuclear technology can improve agriculture.

1. Livestock productivity and health

Nuclear technology and related technologies have played an important role in improving livestock productivity, preventing and controlling cross-border animal diseases, and protecting the environment.

For example, Cameroon effectively utilizes nuclear technology in livestock and poultry breeding, artificial insemination, and disease prevention and control programs. By crossbreeding Bose beef and Bock golden cattle (two local cattle breeds), farmers doubled their milk production from 500 liters to 1500 liters, and their annual income increased by $110 million on this basis. Another plan greatly curbed the occurrence of brucellosis, a highly contagious animal disease that can be transmitted to humans through drinking unpasteurized milk or consuming undercooked diseased animal meat.


2. Improving soil and water balance

Many countries now use nuclear technology to help maintain the health of their soil and water systems, which is crucial for ensuring food security for the growing global population.
For example, in Benin, a plan involving 5000 farmers increased corn yield by 50% and reduced fertilizer use by 70% by adopting nitrogen fixation promoting technology. Similarly, nuclear technology has helped Kenyan farmers in Marseille plan small-scale irrigation, doubling vegetable yields while achieving water conservation, using only 55% of traditional manual irrigation.

3. Harmful organism management

As a nuclear derived technology, insect sterility technology (SIT) refers to the mass breeding of male insects and their infertility treatment before release to pest infested areas. This technology can suppress and gradually eliminate already colonized harmful organisms or prevent invasive species from entering, and is safer for the environment and human health than conventional pesticides.

The governments of Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States have been using insect infertility techniques for decades to contain the northward spread of Mediterranean fruit flies to Mexico and the United States. In addition, Guatemala releases hundreds of millions of male sterile fruit flies every week to California and Florida in the United States to protect high-value crops such as citrus fruits. This technique, which causes male sterile fruit flies to lose their reproductive ability, can be said to be the perfect method for controlling insect reproduction.


4. Food safety

A strong food safety and quality supervision system should be established at the national level to promote safe food trade and combat food fraud that leads to annual losses of up to $15 billion in the food industry.

Nuclear technology helps regulatory authorities in over 50 countries improve food safety by addressing harmful residues and pollutants in food, and uses stable isotope analysis to improve their product tracking systems. For example, scientific programs implemented in Pakistan, Angola, and Mozambique have helped national regulatory agencies have the ability to detect veterinary drug residues and pollutants in animal products. Pakistan has benefited 50 food production and export units from the new laboratory testing capabilities, which help ensure that its products comply with international food standards and enhance its reputation in international food trade.

5. Emergency measures

Radioactivity is everywhere - from sunlight to soil. But in the event of a nuclear incident or emergency, understanding the spread of radioactivity in the environment is crucial for preventing or reducing its harm to agricultural products.

During the 2011 nuclear emergency in Japan, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency developed a comprehensive and authoritative database on food contaminated with radioactive isotopes. This database supports protecting consumers, the agricultural and food industry, and the entire world through information exchange and promoting appropriate follow-up actions.

6. Adapt to climate change


The agricultural sector utilizes nuclear and related technologies to improve resource utilization efficiency and productivity in a sustainable manner, in order to adapt to climate change.
Burkina Faso's nuclear derived hybrid breeding program is an example of helping farmers cultivate more productive and climate resistant livestock. This plan is based on genetic assessments conducted in four national laboratories, and scientists can also use related technologies to produce a licking feed that provides the necessary nutrients for larger and more productive livestock.

7. Seasonal Famine Prevention

The crop breeding program utilizes nuclear technology to help impoverished countries ensure food security, adapt to climate change, and even respond to seasonal famines. The new mutant crop varieties have shortened the growth process, allowing farmers to produce more crops during the planting season.

In recent years, farmers in northern Bangladesh have been using a fast maturing mutant rice variety called Binadhan-7. The maturity period of this variety is 30 days faster than ordinary rice, allowing farmers time to harvest other crops and vegetables in the same season.