Cairo: The Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), in cooperation with the Technical Cooperation Department and the Department of Africa at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has initiated an advanced regional training course on animal nutrition under the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA). This significant event commenced on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and will continue for two weeks until July 16, bringing together experts and trainees from different parts of Africa.
According to State Information Service Egypt, EAEA Vice Chairman for Research Projects, Nader Abdel Halim, has emphasized the strategic importance of Egypt hosting this course. He highlighted that the authority is leveraging its research and technological capabilities to support sustainable development plans and enhance food security across the African continent. Abdel Halim pointed out that the current climate challenges confronting Africa necessitate the adoption of innovative scientific solutions, noting that the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology are particularly effective in boosting agricultural productivity and advancing the livestock sector, which is vital for many African economies.
Abdel Halim further elaborated that the EAEA, through its specialized institutions such as the Nuclear Research Center and the National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, has a robust infrastructure and a pool of highly qualified experts. He reaffirmed the authority's commitment, via AFRA and its ongoing collaboration with the IAEA, to transfer this knowledge to African partners, thereby strengthening their national capacities and enhancing food production chains.
The course aims to focus on the application of stable and radioactive isotopes in animal nutrition, the monitoring of nutrient dynamics in climate-smart soil-plant-animal systems, and the improvement of the nutritional value of agricultural residues and animal feed through gamma irradiation technologies.