FAO delegates participating in rapid testing to discriminate organically and non-organically grown bananas. The banana peel is swabbed with a paper strip containing silver nanoparticles, and pesticides are detected using a portable Raman spectrometer. (Photo: D.Tadic/FAO-IAEA)
Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) visited the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture from 11-12 February 2026 to explore how the work of the Joint FAO-IAEA Centre can achieve greater impact through FAO-led development projects and programmes in countries. The joint FAO-IAEA Atoms4Food initiative is a key strategic tool to help integrate nuclear science in food and agriculture in this regional and country work, and thereby help countries build more resilient agrifood systems at scale.
The visit reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between FAO and the IAEA and was the first step towards accelerating the transfer of nuclear based agricultural innovations from the laboratory to the field.
A Critical Moment for Science Driven Agricultural Solutions
Joined by IAEA Deputy Directors General Najat Mokhtar and Hua Liu, the final brainstorming session highlighted a united commitment to rapidly advance the translation of nuclear science from the lab to the field. (Photo: J. Murickananickel/FAO-IAEA)
Food insecurity is rising as countries face growing pressure on agrifood systems from intensifying climate‑driven shocks and strains on natural resources. These challenges demand the need for tailored, science‑based solutions that deliver practical, field‑ready results to build resilience and safeguard livelihoods.
FAO Assistant Directors General/Regional representatives, together with heads and technical experts from the FAO technical divisions gathered in the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre and its Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, to deepen their understanding of how nuclear science is driving innovation across the agriculture sector and how these technologies can help countries respond to urgent food system challenges.
"The nuclear and related agricultural techniques developed through the Joint Centre are a testament to our more than 60 years of partnership," said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. "It is crucial that we continue to build upon these innovations in nuclear applications and integrate them into the framework of the FAO's work at the regional and country-levels."
Recognizing the Importance of Technology Transfer from the Lab to the Field
At the Joint FAO/IAEA laboratories, FAO representatives saw how applied research, hands-on training and global networks support national institutions in adapting innovations that can improve agriculture to local conditions. They saw the scientific platforms, equipment and training facilities that enable nuclear and related technologies to be transferred to countries.
"These innovations are practical tools that deliver measurable impact, helping to solve real problems faced by farmers, communities and governments," said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. "The Atoms4Food initiative embodies our shared ambition to scale up these solutions and make them an integral part of our operational footprint."
The visit highlighted the scientific excellence, innovation capacity and training infrastructure that underpin the Joint Centre's work.
Connecting Laboratory Innovation to Country-level Impact
Discussions during the visit focused on how to translate scientific advances into tangible country-level results. Strengthening the bridge between laboratory research and national programmes is essential to ensuring timely, practical support to farmers, extension officers and national institutions.
"What we witnessed today is how nuclear science, when applied with purpose, can transform food systems on land and in water - strengthening food security and helping countries build resilience for tomorrow," said Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.
"Our visit reaffirms the immense potential of science and innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation in Africa by aligning nuclear and associated techniques with FAO led programmes," said Abebe Haile Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Africa.
Joint Action Plan to Make Nuclear Innovations in Food and Agriculture More Accessible
The visit reinforced the determination of both the IAEA and FAO to deepen collaboration through the Joint Centre. Leadership and technical teams from both organizations emphasized the importance of working in an increasingly unified way to ensure that nuclear‑based, science‑driven solutions reach countries efficiently and at scale.
A central platform for translating this understanding into action is the Atoms4Food initiative . As a joint FAO-IAEA effort designed to help countries apply nuclear and other advanced technologies to their agricultural challenges, Atoms4Food will serve as the main vehicle for translating the momentum in Vienna into concrete, country‑level impact.
To operationalize this momentum, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre will develop a collaborative action plan to articulate regional priorities, outline mechanisms for coordinated technical support and define concrete next steps for joint activities. The joint action plan is expected to make nuclear‑based innovations more accessible, more targeted and ultimately more transformative for the countries and communities that need them most.
