N-power can give push to farm, health sectors: BARC official

Stressing on India's commitment towards peaceful use of nuclear energy, a Bhabha Atomic Research Centre official said nuclear power holds immense potential in giving a vital push to health and farm sectors.
K L Ramakumar, Radio-chemistry Isotope Group Director of BARC, today said that by using controlled radiation processes, more than 40 new seed varieties have been developed which can earn high yields, early maturity of crop and its resistance to diseases.
Ramkumar was delivering the key-note address at week-long 83rd national workshop on Radiochemistry and Applications of Radioisotopes (NWRAR), which inaugurated at Khalsa College here.
He said farm researchers have used radiation to develop hundreds of varieties of robust and more disease-resistant crops, which will have higher nutritional value too.

Ramkumar noted that developed countries with higher per capita energy consumption have higher life expectancy too, and also mentioned the usage of radiation in treating humans, and even livestock, and breeding of disease-resistant animals.
He stated that the nuclear energy is most clean and green stimulating energy source, which requires higher precision of the technology.
The director also highlighted the structural and functional elements of BARC and how they were finding ways to deal with nuclear waste, besides focusing on radio-isotopes and their practical applications in all modes of life.
A number of scientists from BARC, other top institutions and educational institutions from all over the country have converged here for the workshop.