The Nuclear Power & Energy Agency(NuPEA), is set to employ Atoms4Food Technology to enhance sugarcane production in Western Kenya Counties. Recently introduced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this technology utilizes nuclear technology to produce safer and healthier food, ultimately improving food security.
Justus Wabuyabo, the Acting CEO of NuPEA, announced plans to collaborate with counties, higher education institutions, sugar companies, and research institutions to obtain technological support, human resources, and equipment for the agricultural sector. NuPEA has a track record of supporting research initiatives, such as aiding Chuka University in developing animal feeds and assisting Moi University in creating drought-resistant and disease-resistant wheat varieties.
The agency aims to partner with Western region counties to enhance sugarcane characteristics, making them high-yielding, drought-resistant, early-maturing, and with high sucrose content. Wabuyabo emphasized the potential of Food Irradiation technology to reduce post-harvest losses, particularly in regions like Rift Valley and Western Kenya, where pests, diseases, and insects lead to significant losses despite bumper harvests.
Wabuyabo explained that Food Irradiation technology, used successfully in countries like Israel, can eliminate diseases, insects, and pests while preserving food. He highlighted the ability of nuclear technology to develop high-yielding, drought-resistant crops with nutritional value, drawing parallels with Israel’s agricultural success.
NuPEA sees nuclear energy as essential for achieving Kenya’s development goals, spanning agriculture, medicine, human health, water resource management, industrial processes, education, research, and training. Wabuyabo assured that NuPEA would implement nuclear technology safely across all applications.
Looking ahead, Kenya anticipates benefiting from nuclear energy as a long-term investment, with plans to commence construction of a nuclear power plant in Kilifi by 2027, set for commissioning in 2034.
In parallel efforts, Governor Fernandes Barasa revealed that the Lake Region Economic Bloc is exploring support to establish a Sugar Research Institute at Masinde Muliro University. This institute aims to generate knowledge to enhance the profitability of sugarcane farming. Currently, Masinde Muliro University’s Sugar Technology department is working on various programs and research initiatives related to sugarcane, including producing clean planting materials and exploring by-products like molasses and bagasse.
These initiatives align with Kenya’s broader vision for sustainable and technologically advanced agriculture, promising benefits for the agricultural sector’s productivity and economic contributions.