A new gamma irradiation facility aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and extending the shelf life of agricultural products has been established at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Regional Research Station in Gazipur. The Tk 115 crore center, funded by the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh, was commissioned in September 2026 and is set to be inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid.
The radiation-based technology offers a method to eliminate insects, parasites, pathogens, and harmful microorganisms that contribute to spoilage after harvest. BINA officials estimate that approximately 25-30 percent of Bangladesh’s agricultural produce is lost annually post-harvest, amounting to losses of around Tk 20,000 crore. By processing produce through gamma irradiation, the shelf life of various crops can be significantly extended. For instance, onions can be preserved from 30 days up to four months, garlic from three months to 12 months, and rice from up to 18 months to as long as four years. Other fruits such as papayas, strawberries, mangoes, and bananas also benefit from prolonged freshness.
The facility, running three shifts daily, is capable of processing between 8 and 10 tonnes per hour, potentially handling up to 85,000 tonnes annually. It is expected to support a range of stakeholders, including traders, businesses managing large quantities of produce for cold storage, and small entrepreneurs, particularly those located near Gazipur.
Md Mahbubul Hassan Sohag, senior scientific officer and head of BINA’s electronics and health physics section, emphasized that gamma irradiation does not render food radioactive. He explained that the process uses radiation energies insufficient to induce radioactivity but effectively damages the biological cells of microorganisms, including bacteria and pathogens, responsible for spoilage.
Beyond extending shelf life, the technology also holds significance for international trade. Sohag noted that irradiation could help Bangladeshi producers comply with quarantine requirements in key export markets like the United States and Europe, potentially enhancing access for high-value agricultural products.
Globally, food irradiation is recognized and approved for over 50 food items in more than 60 countries. Major users include China and the United States, with the technology commonly applied to vegetables, spices, meats, herbs, and fresh fruits. Its adoption is increasing in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. India, for example, has mandated irradiation for mango exports to the U.S. since 2007, while Australia applies the technique to summer fruits and vegetables destined for New Zealand.
Bangladesh itself has utilized gamma irradiation technology since the early 1980s, with two plants operating at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Savar providing limited commercial services primarily to exporters of pharmaceuticals and spices. Officials at BINA have identified potential expansion opportunities, including a proposed new center in Belabo, Narsingdi, contingent on operational data and regional production needs.