A legacy of science, technology and innovation

Established in 1964, the partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been a driving force behind the research and application of nuclear science, technology and innovation in food and agriculture – harnessing the power of atoms to help countries increase crop yields, protect livestock, control pests, manage soil and water, and improve food safety. 

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre’s Vienna-based state-of-the-art laboratories are the backbone its operations, sitting at the forefront of science, technology and innovation and providing research, capacity development and technology transfer to countries to help them address global food security challenges.

Five key focus areas

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre is delivering a robust programme of research and applied science, organized into five key areas.

Insect pest control. Insect pests account for 20–40 percent of crop losses globally and can threaten human and animal health. The sterile insect technique (SIT) safely applies radiation to targeted insect pests to sterilize males and disrupt breeding cycles. SIT is an effective and environmentally friendly way to manage many insects that pose significant risks to crops (e.g. fruit flies, moths), livestock (e.g. tsetse flies, screwworm) and humans (e.g. mosquitoes). 

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre continues to advance the development of SIT and other radiation-based pest management technologies and provide support to countries so they can optimize pest management, improve food production, safeguard human and animal health, and protect ecosystems.

Advanced plant breeding. Plant mutation breeding is a powerful tool for developing plants with desirable genetic traits and enhanced agricultural productivity. The technique involves irradiating seeds and other plant materials to accelerate the natural mutation process.

One of the earliest successes was achieved in 1968 in Japan, with the development of a novel rice variety that reached maturity in just 60 days and contained nearly twice the protein of its parent variety – significantly improving yields and nutrients in rice production.

More recently, with Joint FAO/IAEA Centre support, Pakistan successfully developed new pulse varieties with increased yields and enhanced resistance to pests and adverse climatic conditions, with some farmers reporting doubled harvests.

Pushing the envelope in advanced plant breeding techniques, in 2022 the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre sent seeds to the International Space Station (ISS) to explore the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plant genetics. Scientists are now analysing space-induced mutations to identify traits that could make crops more resilient to climate change on earth.

To facilitate knowledge-sharing and wider use of improved mutant crop varieties, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre maintains the FAO/IAEA Mutant Variety Database (MVD), with records of 3 433 improved mutant varieties covering over 200 different plant species available for reference as a global good.

Improved soil and water management and crop nutrition. Nuclear and isotopic techniques represent valuable tools for understanding and improving of soil fertility and crop nutrition. Using isotopic and nuclear techniques, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre offers innovative tools to monitor and manage the interactions between water, soil, and nutrients, enhancing the productivity and sustainability of cropping systems.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre is also using nuclear science to tackle soil contamination by heavy metals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), microplastics, and radioactive contaminants. And new techniques for fertilizer application and combating soil salinity are being pioneered through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre’s work, as well. For example, in Lao PDR, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre’s assistance in 2020 led to a significant increase in rice yields thanks to the transfer of solutions for soil improvement and nutrient management practices. 

The Centre continues to innovate in this area with tools such as the Cosmic Neutron Ray Sensor (CRNS), which are changing the way water resources can be managed by providing precise data on soil moisture levels.

Animal production and health. The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre has helped deliver improvements in livestock productivity, feed efficiency, and the diagnosis and control of animal diseases through its work these past decades. 

One such notable contribution was the deployment of new diagnostic tools that, in combination with the use of vaccines and other technical support, helped eradicate rinderpest, a serious animal disease that had plagued livestock keepers for millennia.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre’s also plays a central role in driving improvements in livestock productivity, feed efficiency and improving livestock resilience to climate change. For instance, in southern Angola, a project employing stable carbon isotopic techniques and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) aims to enhance cattle nutrition and productivity through climate-smart pasture management.

Food safety and control. Through the adoption of nuclear and related techniques, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre is also transferring solutions that aid countries combat food fraud, detect harmful contaminants, and ensure the authenticity and quality of food. 

Sound food irradiation practices and standards – a process utilizing ionizing radiation to eliminate harmful pathogens and microorganisms – extend the shelf life and preserve the nutritional value of perishable goods, while ensuring that consumers receive safe products. The technique also prevents the spread of transboundary pests through trade in agricultural products.

In one example, Viet Nam significantly increased its food exports through sound food irradiation, thanks to Joint FAO/IAEA Centre support. Currently, around 200 tonnes of fresh fruit from the country are irradiated each year to comply with international food safety standards, facilitating exports valued at approximately USD 20 million to the United States of America alone. Similarly, Sri Lanka leveraged Joint FAO/IAEA Centre support to develop advanced testing capabilities to detect aflatoxins, dangerous contaminants produced by fungi on crops like maize and groundnuts. 

The next 60 years

The impactful track record of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre underscores the critical role of science, innovation in supporting international efforts to tackle global challenges.

Amid rising pressures on food and nutrition security, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre remains committed to its mission of harnessing nuclear science and technology in agriculture to combat hunger and improve nutrition worldwide.

Looking forward, the partnership between FAO and IAEA will continue to deepen, aiming for a broader the role of nuclear science in supporting agrifood systems transformations. By fostering research for development, enhancing capacity development and knowledge sharing, and strengthening partnerships, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre will continue to drive innovation and deliver tangible solutions to the ever-changing challenges facing agriculture currently and in the future.