International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has opened nuclear pest control labs to fight disease spreading insect and pests and damage crop.

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), a nuclear technique of insect birth control using radiation to sterilize male insects, nurtured in bulky numbers and released in a target area for mating with wild females. This SIT will increase IAEA’s ability to help member countries in using such applications.

In Pakistan, chief crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton have come under pest attacks. Several toxic chemicals were currently used by farmers too frequently for pest control that is not environment-friendly.

Environment-friendly SIT is extensively used in countries everywhere in the world to preserve harmful insects at bay, for instance, Mediterranean fruit fly and the screwworm fly.

Insect Pest Control Laboratory will also facilitate research on the application of the technique for different insects, exclusively mosquito, to fight malaria, zika, etc.