Tehran - The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization says nearly 40 million tons of agricultural products are lost annually before reaching consumers, stressing that nuclear technology can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and help recover a large share of this food supply.

 

Mohammad Eslami said that around 30 percent of Iran’s agricultural output is lost each year due to pests, diseases, and spoilage, adding that nuclear-based applications can substantially reduce these losses across the food supply chain.

 

“Iran produces about 130 million tons of agricultural goods annually, of which nearly one-third—approximately 40 million tons—is wasted before reaching consumers. Experts argue that reducing this waste could significantly improve national food security and move the country closer to self-sufficiency.”

 

In agriculture, nuclear technologies are used for food irradiation and seed treatment to prevent spoilage and contamination, extend shelf life, reduce pest damage, and support more efficient water and resource management, as well as genetic improvement processes, he said.