By Pabodha Hettige
The Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) says that plans are afoot to develop the country’s agricultural sector with the application of nuclear technology.
"A special centre for this will be established if the usage of such technology is proven to be feasible for the country," AEA Chairman Ranjith Wijewardana said.
A workshop and a series of discussions will be held regarding this on April 26 and 27 with the participation of professionals in the industry.
He said that greater enhancement of agriculture could be expected by inducing the mutations of plants through this technology and traits of plants could be also identified.
Exposure to radiation would enable the identification of protein rich varieties, pest tolerant varieties and many more and larger amounts of crops could be yielded. The technology is currently being used in many Asian countries including Bangladesh.
"The technology can also identify whether the irrigation practices currently used are optimum and it can also evaluate the efficiency of fertilizer usage on crops," Wijewardana said.
He also said that steps had been taken to establish radiation warning centres within the next two months. The authority will receive five radiation detectors and a monitoring station from the International Atomic Energy Authority to check radiation levels.
The equipment would be fixed in selected naval bases in the country’s west coast, Wijewardana said.
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