Success Stories
Soil and Water
Adaptation to Climate Change with Improved Agricultural Water Management
As the water available for agriculture becomes limiting due to population growth, competition from other water users, drought and water quality degradation, it is important to ensure that every drop of water (either from rainfall and irrigation) counts for crop water use.
Full Story »
Extracting Fertilizer from a Clear Blue Sky
Nitrogen fixation in cereals has been a dream of scientists and farmers for a long time. If rice, wheat and maize are able to fix all of their nitrogen from the atmosphere in the same manner as soybean, it would have major financial and environmental benefits for the agricultural community.
Full Story »
Food security and sustainable agriculture: The answer is in the Soil-Tajikistan
For more than 50 years the Soil Science Research Institute (Academy of Science) has been actively involved in efforts to combat soil erosion and land degradation in Tajikistan. Full Story »
Improving Agricultural Water Management for Crop Productivity in Africa
Agriculture is the largest consumer of water; accounting for over 70% of the world’s freshwater diversion. However, only a part of this agricultural water diverted is effectively used in the production of food or other agricultural commodities and the remaining does not reach the
crop/plants ... Full Story »
Soil Management and Conservation for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
Nuclear techniques provide essential and value added information and technology for defining and alleviating constraints to intensify and diversify farming systems while ensuring
the sustainable use and management of land and water resources ...
Full Story »
Technologies and Practices for Sustainable Use and Management of Water in Agriculture
With increasing water shortages in many parts of the world, the SWMCN Subprogramme aims at developing isotope based methodologies to measure and improve crop water productivity
(more crops per drop) Full Story »
Integrated Soil-plant Approaches to Increase Crop Productivity in Harsh Environments
The impacts of increased droughts, salinity and nutrient deficiencies are serious threat to the production of the major world food crops (wheat, rice and maize). Degraded and marginal lands
(harsh environments) are the results of ... Full Story »
Promoting Sustainable Intensification of Agricultural Dryland Production and Combating Desertification in the Sahel
Four West African Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal) and two East African countries (Kenya and Tanzania) joined efforts in a cooperative venture under the IAEA
regional TC project RAF/5/048 to combate desertification in dryland agriculture. Full Story »
Saving Millions of Tons of Agricultural Topsoil in China and Enhancing Livelihoods and Water Quality
China is one of the countries suffering from the most serious soil erosion in the world. IAEA-funded projects conducted in the Loess Plateau (Nianzhuang watershed), Northern China (Fengning site) and North Eastern
China (Baiquan site). Full Story »
Sustainable Land Use and Water Management on Reducing Soil Erosion & Improving Soil and Water Quality
The applications of nuclear techniques have significantly achieved social and economical benefits when soil erosion is reduced, as observed in the
recently completed regional project RAS5039 in East Asia and the Pacific region on developing sustainable land and water management strategies using
fallout radionuclides for reducing soil erosion and improving soil and water quality.
Full Story »
More Crop per Drop and Better Environment
The Nigde-Nevsehir Region in Turkey accounts for more than 1/3 of Turkey's potato production (1.2 million tons). Sprinkler and basin irrigation systems have been used for potato growing in the
past in this light-textured soil region. Full Story »
Combating Desertification in Agricultural Drylands
Agricultural dry lands constitute approximately 42% of the total arable land in Zimbabwe. However, large proportions of these dry lands are subject to various degrees of land degradation,
which reduces the social and biological potential of the land and increases the effects of desertification. Full Story »
Chile´s Blueberries Bloom
The next time you bite into a juicy blueberry, chances are it comes from Chile, the world's third biggest producer. It might even be grown using IAEA "know-how" that is helping Chile´s farmers use less
water and fertilizer, stop soil degradation and boost harvests. Full Story »
Plant Breeding
Blossoming Ideas Creating Stronger Economies
In Thailand, a flower is more than an ornament; it is the country's symbol and the main source of income for thousands of families.
With the help of nuclear technology to bring new colours and shapes to ornamental flowers, Prof. Siranut Lamseejan, at the Kasetsart University,
Bangkok, has made a dream come true. Full Story »
High Quality Mutant Rice Varieties Widely Grown in Viet Nam
Mutant rice variety VND95-20 with high quality and tolerance to salinity became the key rice variety for
export in 2005 ( 28% of the one million ha export rice area in the Mekong Delta). Full Story »
Indian Groundnut
Under IAEA/RCA Project RAS/5/40, in India, the total mutant series of TAG groundnut varieties (in the last 10 years, 10 varieties) has increasing
success. TAG24 is the most popular, TAG38 the most recent mutant groundnut variety (2006). 45% of breeders' seeds
are TAG varieties, mostly TAG24. Full Story »
Hardy Crops in Harsh Environments
One of the success stories in the use of induced mutations by a national agricultural research system in collaboration with the Agency's Plant
Breeding and Genetics programme: Peru. Full Story »
Saving the Source of Chocolate: Ghana Targets Killer Virus
[...] This growing season (in late 2005) has gone well, with healthy harvests and no signs of the "swollen shoot" disease that has wreaked havoc on Ghana´s cocoa
farmers for decades. Full Story »
Livestock
Community-based Dairy Veterinary Services in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has taken advantage of results from previous research conducted through IAEA CRP and TCP to develop a self-sustaining Community-based Dairy Veterinary Service.
Full Story »
IAEA’s support to animal health services in Yemen (1995 - 2009)
Since Yemen became a Member State of the IAEA in 1995, collaboration between Yemen and the Agency through national and regional TCP in the field of animal health has allowed the national veterinary services to tremendously build capacity and modernize their disease diagnostic
facilities, build new level 2 and high security laboratories and to improve quality control, quality assurance and laboratory management practices. Full Story »
A successful history of cooperation between IAEA and Angola
Since its admission as an IAEA Member State of in 1990, the Republic of Angola achieved a definitive peace in 2002, which allowed the establishment of a country programme framework, taking in account the sectors of Education, Health and Agriculture as priority for industry and economic
development. Full Story »
Bovine Genome Provides Clues to Evolution, Better Beef and Milk
After 6 years of work by more than 300 researchers from 25 countries and $53 million in funding, the cow genome has arrived. Sequencing of the bovine genome provides new information about
mammalian evolution as well as cattle-specific biology and points the way to research that could result in more sustainable food production in a world challenged by global population growth. Full Story »
IAEA’s support helps Eritrea to controlling Brucellosis and Tuberculosis in Cattle
The IAEA started to support the veterinary services of Eritrea in the late 1990s when the country requested help with their rinderpest eradication programme. The IAEA provided technical assistance in the setting-up of a diagnostic laboratory and the training of staff
... Full Story »
Avian Influenza, Migratory Birds and Stable Isotopes
Over 100 species of wild migratory birds, particularly ducks, swans, geese and various wading birds, harbour avian influenza (AI) viruses. Infections are transmitted amongst
the wild birds by shedding of the virus and contamination of water. Full Story »
Adapting Molecular Diagnostics to Field Conditions
Enhancing food security by providing effective control of infectious diseases in livestock requires major investment in developing diagnostic technologies of sufficient sensitivity and precision to enable veterinary
authorities to accurately identify animal carriers of disease and to carry out appropriate measures for containing an outbreak. Full Story »
Irradiated Vaccines and the Control of Animal Diseases
Animals in general possess a basic defence against pathogens known as innate immunity. This comprises two parts, humoral, referring to substances found in the body fluids such as tears, mucus, and blood that
can prevent the development of pathogens so that they can be eliminated from the body and the second, cellular, where cells called phagocytes ingest pathogens. Full Story »
The Use of Nuclear Technologies to Fight Problem Diseases – the re-emergence of irradiated vaccines
The concept of vaccination is a sound one for the prevention of animal disease; fundamentally, it is designed to mimic the development of naturally acquired immunity by inoculation of non pathogenic, highly immunogenic organisms. Full Story »
The Tracing of Animal Migration with Stable Isotopes
To understand the ecology of migratory animals it is important to link geographic regions used by individuals including breeding, wintering, and intermediate stopover sites. Previous conventional approaches used to track animal movements have relied on extrinsic
markers (eg tags, radio tracking) and typically the subsequent recovery of individuals. Full Story »
Water Efficiency of Animal Protein Production
The livestock sector is the fastest growing agricultural sector and has been predicted to continue growing at these rates for the foreseeable future. Livestock production has been shown to be economically important and is related to increasing incomes
in poor rural areas. Full Story »
Belching Ruminants, a minor player in atmospheric methane
Since 1999 atmospheric methane concentrations have leveled off while the world population of ruminants has increased at an accelerated rate. Prior to 1999, world ruminant populations were increasing at the rate of 9.15 million head/year but since
1999 this rate has increased to 16.96 million head/year. Full Story »
The Second Embryo Transfer Goat Kid "Peradeniya Kumari -2" Born in Sri Lanka
The Embryo Biotechnology research team of the University of Peradeniya have produced a second goat kid through Embryo Transfer technology. Research team leader Dr. Basil Alexander
said "the initial experiments on embryo production and transfer in Sri Lanka have resulted in great success".
Full Story »
IAEA Counterparts Produce a Calf via Embryo Transfer for the first time ever in Sri Lanka
A team of veterinary researchers and IAEA counterparts at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka have successfully produced a calf through embryo transplant technology. This historic event marks
the first time in Sri Lanka when such technology has been successfully applied.
Full Story »
Neighbours Helping Neighbours: Kenya Hosts Fellow from Tanzania
The IAEA, through TC project URT5025 based at the National Artificial Insemination Cooperation (NAIC) at Usa River Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, granted Ms. Mary A. Shio
a two month fellowship in Kenya hosted by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Lanet Research Center.
Full Story »
IAEA tackles Bird Flu diagnosis
The First Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) for the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on "The early and rapid diagnosis of transboundary
animal diseases such as avian influenza" was held at the IAEA, Vienna, 19 to 23 March 2007. The RCM was attended by more than 25 participants, as it brought together Research Contract and
Agreement holders as well as observers.
Full Story » [pdf]
Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe unite to battle CBPP
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) has been a problem in the Kazungula district of Zambia since an outbreak in 1997
and has caused concern in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Full Story »
Goat Genetic Resources in Bangladesh
Goats have been reared in Bangladesh from the time of human settlement in this part of the earth.
They stand second in number among the ruminant species. There are approximately 18 million goats at present in the country.
Full Story »
Technology Transfer: Use of Urea Molasses Multinutrient Blocks in over 50 Countries
Livestock production in developing countries is largely dependent on fibrous feeds - mainly crop residues and low quality pasture - that are
deficient in nitrogen, readily fermentable energy, minerals and vitamins.
Full Story »
Holistic Approach gives Farmers better Profit
Shortcomings in animal nutrition, health, and reproduction and breeding have all been identified as constraints to optimal productivity
of livestock systems in developing countries.
Full Story »
Past and Present Contributions of Joint FAO/IAEA Division to Eradication of Rinderpest
Rinderpest is an important killer disease of cattle. Since there is a vaccine
that gives a life long protection and can be produced easily and cheaply, there is a good chance that the disease can be completely
wiped out from the world. In other words - the disease can be eradicated.
Full Story »
Newcastle Disease Control in Chicken Improves the Welfare of Rural Households in Africa
An FAO/IAEA funded five year coordinated research project (CRP) was initiated in 1998 to study back yard poultry
production in 12 African countries and then to suggest and initiate appropriate intervention strategies that are economically viable.
Full Story »
Insect Pest Control
Eradication of Cactus Moth Outbreaks from Isla Contoy, Mexico
The Mexican Government has officially announced that the Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum, a serious threat to all prickly pear cactus species, has been eradicated from the island of Contoy, in the Mexican Caribbean.
Full Story »
Balkan States Consider Sterile Insect Technique Against Mediterranean Fruit Fly
Fruit farmers in Southern Europe have been struggling for decades in a losing battle against the Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly, which is one of the world´s most destructive farm pests, since it lays its eggs in fruit and vegetables.
Full Story »
Eradication of Cactus Moth Outbreaks from Caribbean islands of Mexico
The Mexican Government has officially announced that the Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum, a serious threat to all prickly pear cactus species, has been eradicated from the island of Mujeres and island of Contoy, in the Mexican Caribbean, two
years after the pest was first detected. Full Story »
No Love for Deadly Mosquitoes
In steamy sites ranging from Sudan to Tahiti, Mozambique to the United States, researchers are studying the sex life of the male mosquito - in order to halt reproduction.Why? Mosquitoes can be deadly
carriers of disease, including malaria and yellow fever. Full Story »
Screw Worm Outbreak in Yemen
An outbreak of the insidious ´screw worm´ fly in Yemen, is threatening livelihoods, in a country where rearing livestock is a traditional way of life. In recent weeks, a Ministerial delegation was at the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, to turn to the international community for emergency assistance to
fight the deadly pest. Full Story »
Tacna and Moquegua Regions in Southern Peru Declared Fruit Fly Free Areas
The Animal and Plant Health Service (SENASA) of Peru, a decentralized public institution of the Ministry of Agriculture, has informed that Peru, after more than 20 years of dedicated efforts has achieved the eradication of very destructive horticultural fruit fly pests.
Full Story »
The Middle East's Fruitful Valley
[...] Scientists, politicians, and farmers from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority are winning a long and largely invisible fight against the odds. Their
common foe: the Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly, one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests.
Full Story »
Sterile Insect Technique Success in the Middle East Attracts International Media Attention
Under IAEA Technical Cooperation projects in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with additional extrabudgetary support from USAID's Middle East Regional
Cooperation (MERC) funds, FAO/IAEA technology was transferred for area-wide Mediterranean fruit fly control, including the use of the environment-friendly Sterile Insect Technique (SIT).
Full Story »
Educational Resources for Agricultural Insect Pest Control - The ABC´s of S-I-T
A technology known simply as SIT has played an instrumental role over the past four decades in helping countries to protect their agricultural economies
by controlling pests that threaten harvests. Today, more and more countries are interested in applying SIT, the sterile insect technique, as part of their food,
health and animal protection campaigns. Full Story »
Science, Sex, Superflies - The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
A spin-off of nuclear science and technology has changed the dynamics of a complex mating game. Along the way, it has spawned success stories - some small, some large
- from Asia to Africa to the Americas during the IAEA´s first half century. Full Story »
World´s Second Biggest Sterile Insect Mass Production Facility Opens in Valencia for Medfly Suppression
Spain´s citrus fruit stands to become more competitive in international markets, thanks to expanded use of a pest control technology rooted in applications of nuclear science.
A new pest-control facility - Europe´s first such large-scale plant - opened in Valencia in late April that experts say will cut the use of pesticides and protect citrus fruit from the
destructive Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). Full Story »
California´s Terminator
Californians have been battling the Medfly since Ronald Reagan governed the golden state. The invasive pest is among the worst threats to the state´s multi-billion dollar fruit and agricultural industry.
Full Story »
Chile´s Leading Edge - South America´s Top Fruit Exporter Shows the Way
"The success we´ve had against fruit flies is the driving force for our fruit and vegetable industry. It shows the value of international cooperation and our bi-national control efforts with
Peru and collaboration with Argentina and other neighbours," [...].
Full Story »
Argentina Poised for Growth in Export Markets - IAEA & FAO Help Country Meet Fruit Trade Goal
Argentina is poised to expand its export markets for apples, pears and other fruit from the agricultural fields of Patagonia, citing the IAEA and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
for helping the country achieve the goal. Full Story »
Fruit Flies Fall and Markets Grow - Nicaragua, South Africa Among Latest Countries Citing FAO/IAEA Support
In the Americas and South Africa, science is on a roll and fruit fly pests are dropping like... well... they´re dropping like flies. The results are higher quality products,
reduced insecticide use, and more profitable markets, especially to big consumers like the United States.
Full Story »
Campaign Launched to Eliminate Tsetse Fly, which has Turned Much of Africa into a Green Desert
A new campaign to control the deadly tsetse fly in Africa, parasitic carrier of sleeping sickness, has been launched by the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
Full Story »
A Programme for the Eradication of the New World Screwworm from North Africa - The New Screwworm Fly in Libya: A Review of its Introduction and Eradication
The two documents provide details on the planning and results of the New World Screwworm eradication programme in North Africa. The New World screwworm fly,
Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) became established in the Old World for the first time during 1988, in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Full Story »
Defeating the Medfly
In December 1995, Chile's long battle with the Mediterranean fruit fly was officially declared over, marking a major victory for the country's farming community.
Full Story »
Food and Environment
Agrochemicals Unit Selected Country Achievements in 2005 and 2006
The training and methodologies provided by the Agrochemicals Unit have been put to good use in many countries.
The "train the trainers" approach taken for the workshops and training courses organised by the Unit has also had considerable
impact on awareness-building and expansion of the knowledge-base in Member States.
Full Story 2005 », Full Story 2006 »
Food Irradiation: A Powerful Nuclear Tool for Food Safety
Consumer demand for safe, wholesome and nutritious foods is increasing on a worldwide scale. This demand, together with ever increasing global trade in
foodstuffs, brings with it a number of related concerns: the possible contamination of foods by harmful micro-organisms; the need to protect crops from insect
pests; and the need to support international trade and economic development.
Full Story » [pdf]
The Role of eLearning in Supporting Analytical Laboratories
The Centro de Investigación en Contaminación Ambiental, Universidad de Costa Rica (CICA-UCR), is among other tasks responsible for the analysis of pesticide residues and a range of
environmental contaminants and is accredited under ISO 17025-2005.
Full Story » [pdf]