Burkina Faso explores nuclear tech for farming
Scientists and officials met in Ouagadougou to discuss how nuclear techniques can boost crop yields and improve soil and water management.
The Atomic Energy Agency of Burkina Faso (ABEA), with the Health Sciences Research Institute, held a conference in Ouagadougou on Wednesday about using nuclear technologies for productive and resilient agriculture. ABEA Director General Harouna Sawadogo stated the meeting aimed to share knowledge on how nuclear techniques can address current agricultural challenges.
Sawadogo explained that nuclear and isotopic techniques help understand soils, manage water and fertilizers better, and select higher-yielding crop varieties suited to Burkina Faso's climate. These technologies also offer solutions for pest control with reduced environmental impact and improve crop conservation and product quality.
University professor Ismaël Henry Bassolé presented how national yields could double or triple, enabling exports, and how specific rice varieties, like the local 'moui kolgho', can be developed for different dietary needs. He clarified that the process involves exposing seeds to energy, similar to medical X-rays, to modify genetic material.
Why it mattersFarmers in Burkina Faso could benefit from improved crop yields, better soil and water management, and pest control methods through the application of nuclear technologies.