Burkina Faso uses nuclear science to boost rice yields

Scientists in Burkina Faso have developed eight new rice varieties using nuclear mutation breeding techniques to enhance food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports. These new varieties, which were officially registered in the national catalogue in June 2025, offer significantly higher yields than traditional crops. While existing varieties typically produce between 4 and 6 tonnes per hectare, the new seeds achieve between 9 and 11 tonnes per hectare.

The new varieties also feature faster maturation cycles, reaching maturity in 95 to 106 days, which provides better resilience against climate variability and dry seasons. To meet local consumer preferences, researchers developed diverse options including large-grain rice, sticky rice, and varieties rich in resistant starch.

This scientific advancement was achieved through a technical partnership between Burkina Faso, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) via the Atoms4Food initiative. Demonstration fields in Bama and Banzon are currently being used to evaluate performance as efforts scale up seed production and distribution.