CGIAR signs MoU to leverage nuclear techniques in farming

 

Food researcher CGIAR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to use nuclear techniques to address challenges in agriculture.

The partnership aims to harness nuclear technologies to improve crop productivity, manage water resources, improve livestock health, and ensure soil health.

“This agreement represents our commitment to leveraging nuclear science and technology to enhance global food security, nutrition, and climate resilience. It will bring a new dimension to agrifood research.

By integrating nuclear techniques into our work, we can address challenges like drought, soil degradation, and livestock diseases with precision and sustainability," said Dr Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR executive managing director. She said the partnership will concentrate on advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability across key areas.

A primary focus will be on crop improvement, where the goal is to develop climate-resilient crop varieties capable of withstanding stresses such as drought, heat, and diseases. This will ensure food security even as the impacts of climate change intensify. Additionally, water management will be a major area of collaboration, with the use of isotopic techniques to optimise irrigation systems, minimise water wastage, and improve soil moisture retention, ultimately supporting more efficient and sustainable water use in agriculture.

“Science, technology, and innovation including nuclear applications play a critical role in advancing the solutions we need. They enable us to develop resilient crops, optimize resource use, and secure food and nutrition for communities worldwide,” she said.

Soil health is another critical aspect of the partnership, with efforts to monitor and manage soil fertility through the use of isotopic tracers. This approach will help identify and implement sustainable farming practices that maintain long-term soil productivity, CGIAR said.

The organisation noted that the MoU also emphasises the importance of promoting projects that boost agricultural productivity while adhering to sustainable, climate-resilient practices.

Furthermore, the exchange of scientists between the partnering organizations will encourage collaboration and innovation, fostering new solutions to global agricultural challenges and accelerating the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, organisation said.

“This partnership is crucial. By combining CGIAR's expertise in agricultural research with the IAEA's knowledge in nuclear technologies, we can accelerate the development and scaling of sustainable solutions,” she added.

Najat Mokhtar, deputy director general and head of nuclear aciences and applications at the IAEA, said that continuous innovation in nuclear technologies and other scientific approaches is essential for transforming agrifood systems into more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient networks.

“By harnessing the power of science, technology, and innovation and by working together we can tackle the challenges posed by climate change head on,” she said.