Rwanda: Rwanda Eyes Nuclear Tech to Improve Agriculture

What the report says

Rwanda is exploring nuclear and isotopic techniques to boost farm productivity, improve food safety and make agriculture more resilient to climate change, according to Minister of State for Infrastructure Armand Zingiro. The comments were made at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, held Sept. 14-18, where Zingiro led Rwanda’s delegation. He said Rwanda sees potential in nuclear tools for crop production, pest control, natural resource management, nutrition and food safety.

The New Times reported that Rwanda has expressed interest in the IAEA- and FAO-backed Atoms4Food initiative, which helps countries apply nuclear and related technologies to agriculture and livestock systems. Zingiro said Rwanda wants to work with the two agencies to review national priorities and capacities and shape a program suited to the country’s needs, including reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening climate-resilient food systems.

The article places this effort within Rwanda’s broader nuclear ambitions. The country is also developing plans for nuclear power and a research reactor, and has recently hosted IAEA review missions on nuclear infrastructure for both areas. The government says it is building legal, technical and human capacity through training, partnerships and planning, while maintaining commitments to nuclear safety, security, safeguards and radiation protection.

Separately, the report says Rwanda is looking at other civilian uses of nuclear science, including health care applications such as cancer diagnosis and treatment support through radiopharmaceuticals and PET imaging.