The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, showcased scalable nuclear science–based solutions to accelerate agrifood systems transformation in Africa during a special event at the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa. The initiative emphasized how proven scientific tools can be translated into investment-ready solutions to strengthen food security, resilience, and productivity across the continent.
FAO experts highlighted that African agrifood systems are facing growing pressures from climate change, soil degradation, and rising food demand, requiring science-driven and scalable innovations. Nuclear and isotopic techniques are already contributing to improvements in crop breeding, soil and water management, pest control, animal health, and food safety. Examples include mutation-bred crop varieties, tsetse fly suppression in Senegal, and advanced insights into soil carbon and nitrogen fixation, demonstrating strong evidence of real-world impact.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre explained that these technologies are not experimental but operational and ready for scaling. By linking policy, finance, and scientific innovation, countries can move more quickly from research to implementation. The Atoms4Food initiative was highlighted as a key mechanism helping countries convert scientific advances into practical, nationally owned investment pathways that enhance resilience and food system efficiency.
Country representatives from Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana shared experiences showing how nuclear science is already delivering measurable benefits. Ethiopia has integrated nuclear-based diagnostics and pest control into national livestock systems, improving disease surveillance and productivity. Burkina Faso has used the Atoms4Food initiative to develop structured, investment-ready agrifood strategies, while Ghana has applied mutation breeding and isotopic tools to improve crop yields, climate resilience, and food safety, with benefits extending beyond national borders.
FAO emphasized that its partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency enables the connection of laboratory innovation with field-level needs through research, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. This approach ensures that technologies are not only scientifically advanced but also practical, cost-effective, and scalable in real agricultural systems.
Overall, the discussion reinforced that nuclear science is a strategic enabler for transforming agrifood systems in Africa. It supports long-term resilience, productivity, and sustainability while building national capacity. FAO stressed that with stronger partnerships and targeted investment, these technologies can be rapidly scaled to address both current challenges and future food security needs across the continent.
