Getting fruits and vegetables from seed to plate is an obstacle course that involves navigating climate changes, pests and diseases, soil and water pollution, desertification and ultimately high-level controls to ensure food is safe for consumption and exports. For all of these challenges, nuclear science offers proven, effective solutions.
The IAEA, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supports countries to produce fruits and vegetables under challenging environmental conditions and helps them meet and maintain international food safety requirements to retain and expand their export markets, with the use of nuclear techniques. As the United Nations’ International Year of Fruits and Vegetables officially comes to a close today, here are some highlights of the achievements from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture over the last year, in support of farmers, traders, consumers and ecosystems.