Food supply is an issue for millions of people worldwide facing soaring market prices, impacts of climate change on food harvests, and other agricultural problems. With the world population estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050, problems of food security demand significant advances in agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
The IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have partnered for nearly 50 years, contributing to goals of reducing hunger and poverty by successfully helping countries use nuclear science and technology for agricultural development.
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Applications of nuclear science and technology are essential components of work to improve crop and livestock production, as well as the quality and variety of foods. For example, isotopes and neutron moisture probes are part of almost all national research efforts to optimize plant fertilizer uptake, minimize soil erosion and water pollution and improve soil fertility and the efficient use of water for food production.
Likewise, research supported through the partnership encourages plant breeding and genetics programs to produce better varieties of food and industrial crops. Nuclear technology is helping scientists unmask the hidden potential in plants, allowing plant breeders to develop new crop varieties that can withstand external stress such as drought, often brought about by climate change.
Experts believe that climate change will affect the suitability of land for different types of crops, livestock, fish and pasture. It will also have an impact on the health and productivity of forests, the incidence of pests and diseases, biodiversity and ecosystems.
Amongst others, success stories from the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme include the development of barley varieties in the Peruvian Andes that grow in adverse conditions at altitudes above 3,000 metres. Salinity-resistant rice varieties are also being used in Vietnam in the Mekong delta region.
The overall aim is to enhance food security through sustainable crop production using strategic fundamental and applied crop science research, technology transfer, capacity building, policy advice, and information management. With increasing pressure from different sectors of the economy, more people than ever are subject to food insecurity.
(International Atomic Energy Agency)
