Application of Nuclear Technology in Agriculture and the Role of Isotopes in Increasing Productivity, Food Security, and Sustainable Development in Türkiye

Nuclear technology has emerged as an important scientific approach for improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and supporting sustainable development. However, despite the increasing global use of isotopes and irradiation techniques in agriculture, there is limited comprehensive research focusing on their applications, benefits, and future potential in Türkiye. Therefore, this study was carried out to examine the role of nuclear technology and isotope applications in Turkish agriculture, particularly in areas such as food irradiation, pest control, soil and water management, crop improvement, and sustainable resource utilization. The study was conducted using a qualitative and comparative review methodology based on scientific literature, international reports, institutional publications, and recent case studies related to nuclear applications in agriculture and food systems. Relevant studies from organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and recent international academic publications were systematically analyzed to evaluate current practices and developments in Türkiye and other countries. The analysis demonstrates that isotope and irradiation technologies contribute significantly to increasing agricultural productivity, improving fertilizer and water-use efficiency, reducing post-harvest losses, extending food shelf life, and decreasing dependence on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Türkiye has made notable progress in integrating nuclear techniques into agriculture through collaborations among universities, TENMAK, FAO, and IAEA. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited infrastructure, public awareness, regulatory development, and investment capacity still remain. The study concludes that nuclear and isotope technologies can play a strategic role in achieving sustainable agriculture and long-term food security in Türkiye. It is recommended that Türkiye strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand international cooperation, improve regulatory frameworks, and invest in scientific infrastructure and public awareness programs to support the safe and effective application of nuclear technologies in agriculture.