Iran
mulls boosting food security via nuclear science 

The head of Iran’s Agricultural Research, Education, and
Extension Organization (AREEO) said the country is exploring the development of
an initiative to increase its national food security through the use of nuclear
techniques.

“With the help of nuclear techniques and support from Iran’s
Atomic Energy Organization, we would be able to increase the production of our
agricultural products,” Mojtaba Khayyam Nekouei said.

Highlighting the importance of food security in a world
where hunger is on the rise due to climate change, he said that the government
“needs to expedite the entire process” to make sure that all people in the
future will have access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life.

On April 20, Iran adopted a plan to guarantee food security
in the country by 2032 amid efforts to facilitate access of vulnerable and
low-income people to food and water supplies.

The 10-Year Comprehensive Document on Food and Nutrition
Security was signed into law during a session of Iran’s High Council of Health
and Food Security chaired by President Ebrahim Raisi.

The document sets out targets for reaching full food
security in Iran by the calendar year 1411 (2032). It covers plans included in
seven other documents and addresses major issues like access to food supplies,
safety and quality of food, consumption practices, and drinking water, among
others.