It is a recent phenomenon that Ethiopia has signed a nuclear application roadmap deal with Russia in a bid to use nuclear power as an alternative renewable energy source.
It was revealed that the roadmap determines specific steps in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy. The deal is said to prioritize building a nuclear science center, a nuclear power plant as well as creating qualified professionals and raising public awareness about atomic energy.
In addition, the nuclear development agreement, which was signed between Ethiopia’s Innovation and Technology Minister Eng. Getahun Mekuria and Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Director General Rosatom Alexei Likhachev, is also expected to allow the nation to use nuclear technology in various areas such as agriculture, health, and other sectors.
While nuclear technology has tremendous significance in the area of various sectors, most notably in the health sector where more than 40 million people in the world use nuclear medicine over a year, some of the most innovative ways being used to improve agricultural practices involve nuclear technology.
Nuclear applications in agriculture rely on the use of isotopes and radiation techniques to combat pests and diseases, increase crop production, protect land and water resources, ensure food safety and authenticity, and increase livestock production.
This technology is useful in the agriculture sector in enhancing product and productivity, increase best seeds, animal productivity and health, controlling and administration of agricultural chemicals, and others, according to the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute.
It’s been a while since Ethiopia has been using nuclear technology in the agriculture sector. In collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the country has carried out various activities using the radiation technology located in Kality area to tackle tsetse fly that harms animals that live in the Southern rift valley of Ethiopia (Arba Minch, Dilla, Welayeta Sodo).
The technology helps agricultural products to stay fresh. Along with this, it also helps to protects pests, bacteria and microorganisms from harming crops, as to the Institute.
Various studies indicate that nuclear technology such as gamma radiation could play a huge role in making countries competitive in the export market as it could be used for reducing the toxicity of crops and keep their quality. Egypt, South Africa and other 65 countries have been using the technology to protect crops from being harmed by pests, for sterilization of medical equipment and other purposes, and Ethiopia should be one of those countries using the technology to boost its underperforming export sector.
Taking the positive outcomes and benefits of nuclear technology into account, Ethiopia has to give more emphasis to develop the technology in different sectors. By narrowing down the technological gap that the country has with the technology, it is a must to put long term plans as well as projects to benefit the economy in many wise.
The Ethiopian Herald January 15, 2020
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
