Namibia — one of the driest countries in Africa — is conserving water and improving harvests using nuclear science
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Most of Namibia is very arid, arid or semi-arid
Due to climate change, the country is experiencing unpredictable rainfall and severe droughts, which are causing serious food shortages and national emergencies like floods. The arid nature of the country, exacerbated by climate change, makes it susceptible to soil degradation, which makes it difficult for crops to grow.
With support from the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), farmers in the northern regions of Namibia are using a combination of nuclear techniques and a water-saving irrigation technology, known as small-scale drip irrigation, for watering their fields.
Drip irrigation uses cosmic ray neutron sensor data
Real-time data on soil moisture collected by cosmic ray neutron sensors enables farmers to deliver small but precise amounts of water directly to the plants' roots. In Namibia the technique has reduced water use by 80%, while still increasing crop yields.
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that move through space, mostly originating from the sun. When cosmic rays pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce high energy neutrons. When these neutrons reach the Earth’s surface, they penetrate the soil and some of them collide with hydrogen atoms and become low energy neutrons.
As hydrogen atoms are found in water, scientists can use cosmic ray neutron sensors to determine soil moisture by measuring the number of low energy neutrons.
◼︎ The IAEA and the FAO, through their Joint Centre, have been training farmers in northern Namibia to increase water use efficiency since 2020
Using just one fixed cosmic ray neutron sensor, a farmer can obtain an accurate picture of soil moisture in up to 20 hectares at once. Nutrients in the soil, such as nitrogen, are also measured using isotopic techniques to provide a more complete picture of the agricultural conditions.
With this information, climate-smart agricultural packages are developed to help farmers apply the proper amounts of nutrients and water for improved crop production, despite irregular weather patterns.
These climate-smart agriculture techniques can detect soil moisture and soil nutrient levels to help farmers plan water use and improve soil conditions, ensuring sustainable agricultural activities in Namibia.
Farmers participating in the project reduced their water use by 80%, while still increasing crop yields.
Fertilizer use has also reduced, based on the new data on nitrogen in the soil, saving at least 30% in fertilizer expenses.
Through better soil and water management, farmers working with the IAEA in Namibia have increased their crop yields by up to 70% for crops like maize, tomatoes and peppers.
The IAEA promotes nuclear-based solutions to preserve and restore the environment from climate-related weather events and disasters through the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to and monitoring of the adverse consequences of climate change.
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The IAEA looks forward to strengthening and establishing partnerships to support Member States towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Paris Agreement in areas such as energy, sustainable land use, climate smart agriculture, food production systems, analysis of global greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and oceans and coastal protection. The IAEA brings together experts, coordinates research, and fosters cooperation between countries to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
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