Climate-Smart Agriculture Drives 188% Boost in Asian Rice Yields Using Nuclear Technology

Farmers across six Asian countries have significantly boosted rice yields through the adoption of nuclear-derived climate-smart agricultural practices, facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These efforts have been crucial in addressing the growing demand for rice, a staple food for 60% of the Asian population, and in ensuring food security amidst the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity.

Asia, where 90% of the world's rice is grown and consumed, has faced a pressing need to increase rice production to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. The region's rice farming, which spans over 135 million hectares and employs more than 300 million people, has been under pressure due to diminishing water resources and the adverse effects of climate change. In response, the IAEA, through its technical cooperation program, has trained groups of farmers in 11 countries across Asia, equipping them with the knowledge to implement climate-smart agricultural practices that utilize nuclear and isotopic techniques.

In countries such as Bangladesh, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam, these techniques have yielded remarkable results, with rice production increasing by 1 to 2.5 tons per hectare. The success of these practices can be attributed to the work of scientists from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, who have developed methods to optimize fertilizer and water use, thereby improving agricultural productivity while maintaining soil health.

In Pakistan, for instance, farmers in the Punjab and Sindh provinces were trained to use a combination of chemical and organic fertilizers, known as the IAEA/FAO Integrated Option. This approach led to an impressive increase in rice yields—188% for basmati rice and 176% for long-grain varieties—during field trials conducted in six regions. The benefits of these increased yields extend beyond food security, as they also contribute to the sustainability of farming practices, which can be adopted by other countries facing similar challenges.

The project also demonstrated environmental benefits, such as a 36% reduction in ammonia emissions in rice farming. This reduction is crucial for decreasing air pollution, protecting human health, and preventing ecosystem damage. The success of these climate-smart practices underscores the vital role of nuclear science and technology in developing sustainable agricultural solutions that can be replicated globally.

The joint efforts of the IAEA and FAO through initiatives like Atoms4Food, launched in 2023, continue to expand the use of nuclear techniques to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, and tackle the challenges posed by climate change, ultimately contributing to global food security.