Agricultural production: Senegal wants to rely on nuclear power

Senegal faces numerous challenges in the agricultural sector. Therefore, it intends to leverage nuclear energy to boost its agriculture. For this reason, it is closely following the proceedings of a regional meeting dedicated to nuclear science applied to agriculture, which will be held from August 3rd to 7th, 2026 in Dakar.

The event is organized by Professor Diaga Diouf's Plant Biotechnology Laboratory at UCAD, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The meeting is part of the Atoms4Food initiative, launched in 2023 by the FAO and the IAEA. It brings together university rectors, deans of faculties, directors of national agricultural research centers, and other stakeholders in the field.

The goal is to promote the use of nuclear science and technology in agriculture. This ambition involves, in particular, a reform of curricula to adapt training to the sector's needs.

“We need to ensure that nuclear technologies are integrated into our teaching programs. They can be used in plant breeding, soil health, and also in the field of aquaculture,” explained Professor Diaga Diouf.

According to him, the applications of nuclear technologies in agriculture are numerous. They include plant variety improvement, water management, pest control, food safety, animal health, and the reduction of post-harvest losses, a major challenge for many African countries.

Senegal, for example, faces significant challenges in preserving agricultural products. Many foodstuffs spoil rapidly due to a lack of proper preservation methods. Almost every year, onion and potato farmers experience substantial losses because of inadequate storage. Meanwhile, the prices of these products fluctuate wildly depending on the harvest season. This is in addition to the mangoes, oranges, and other produce that rot in Casamance, as well as seafood.

However, if we are to believe Abdou Salam Ndiath, section chief at the Africa Division of the IAEA's Department of Technical Cooperation, irradiation techniques constitute an effective response.

"Irradiation techniques allow food to be sterilized by eliminating germs, which prolongs its shelf life," he emphasized.

Representing the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Professor Hamidou Dathe reaffirmed the authorities' expectations regarding training. He advocated for concerted action among stakeholders in the ecosystem to implement "a well-considered strategy, championed at the highest level of university institutions, to integrate nuclear sciences into curricula."

He pointed out that nuclear power has enabled real progress in agriculture, notably the creation of varieties offering better yields, particularly in cases of rainfall deficit or disease. It also allows for better soil fertilization and more efficient use of fertilizers. This is why he advocates for breaking down silos to create an environment conducive to innovation.

“The best technological strategy will not produce any lasting results if it remains compartmentalized between, on the one hand, universities that provide training and, on the other, agricultural research institutes that innovate, without any organic link to the training of future managers. This is why the interconnection between university teaching and research within National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) is just as crucial as the technology itself.”

According to him, Senegal already has a solid foundation for integrating nuclear technologies into agriculture. In addition to research institutions and a dedicated university, it has already introduced a master's degree in human nutrition and nuclear techniques, a module in isotope hydrology, and a module in mutagenesis into its university programs. It now remains for him to unite these skills around a common goal: food sovereignty.