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Nuclear Science for Food Security
IAEA says plant breeding technique can help beat world hunger
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today called for increased investment in a plant breeding technique that could bolster efforts aimed at pulling millions of people out of the hunger trap. Full Press Release
Audio Clips
Chikelu Mba: Head of the Plant Breeding Unit, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf
1) How nuclear techniques can improve crop varieties
2) How this technique helps to feed the world
3) Why this technology is safe
Download MP3s: ftp://ftp.iaea.org/dist/adpi/PressCampaign/PressCampaignEnglish/
Pierre Lagoda: Chef de la Section Amélioration des Plantes et Phytogénétique, Agence Internationale de l'Energie Atomique (AIEA)
1) Les techniques nucléaires apportent des solutions nouvelles pour combattre la crise alimentaire
2) Comment l’AIEA utilise des méthodes nucléaires au profit de variétés agricoles innovantes
3) Deux exemples de l'application pratique de ces technologies
Download MP3s: ftp://ftp.iaea.org/dist/adpi/PressCampaign/PressCampaignFrench/
Chikelu Mba: jefe de la Unidad de mejoramiento de cultivos en el laboratorio del Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA) en Seibersdorf
1) Las técnicas nucleares pueden ayudar a combatir la crisis de alimentos así
2) El OIEA desempeña el siguiente papel
3) Esta tecnología funciona de la siguiente manera
Download MP3s: ftp://ftp.iaea.org/dist/adpi/PressCampaign/PressCampaignSpanish/
Qu Liang: Director, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
1) How this technology helps with the food crisis
2) How this technique works
3) Why this technique is safe and effective
Download MP3s (in Chinese): ftp://ftp.iaea.org/dist/adpi/PressCampaign/PressCampaignChinese/
Pierre Lagoda: Leiter der Abteilung Pflanzenzucht und Phytogenetik, Internationale Atomenergie Organisation (IAEO)
1) Der Nutzen dieser Technologie
2) Wie diese Technologie funktioniert
3) Warum diese Technologie sicher ist
Download MP3s: ftp://ftp.iaea.org/dist/adpi/PressCampaign/PressCampaignGerman/
Interviews
OVERVIEW: Pierre Lagoda, Head of the IAEA's Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, gives an overview of the use of nuclear science to improve crop varieties.
Download MP3: Overview - Pierre Lagoda
ASIA: Asia is the continent that has fully implemented this technology. Over 1,000 new varieties of major staple crops enhance rural income, improve human nutrition and contribute to environmentally sustainable food security in Asia, where mutation techniques are widely used in plant breeding. Pierre Lagoda, the Head of the IAEA's Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, discusses the importance of this technology in Asia.
Download MP3: Asia - Pierre Lagoda
SOUTH AMERICA: For the past 35 years, mutation induction has played a significant role in enhancing crop production and the competitiveness of farm produce in Latin America and the Caribbean. One of the most successful examples in the region is the hardy barley variety, developed by the Cereals Improvement Programme of the Universidad Agraria, La Molina, in Lima, with IAEA support. Professor Luz Gomez Pando is in charge of the programme.
Download MP3: Barley in Peru - Luz Gomez Pando
AFRICA: The IAEA's plant breeders are hoping to replicate the results achieved with mutation induction in Asia and South America in Africa. Although the use of this technique is limited on the continent, the crops the scientists are working on, with the support of the IAEA, are critical to the food security and healthy nutrition of the whole continent as well as for improving livelihoods as cash crops. Chikelu Mba is the Head of the Plant Breeding Unit at the IAEA's laboratories.
Download MP3: Africa - Chikelu Mba
All audio can be downloaded and broadcast free-of-charge.
All interviews were conducted by the IAEA's Louise Potterton.
For ISDN or telephone interviews in French, Spanish, German, Chinese, or English with IAEA experts, contact: l.potterton@iaea.org
For technical matters related to the download: a.sinoy@iaea.org
Media Contacts:
Press Office
Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21273
press at iaea.org
Louise Potterton
Media and Outreach Section
IAEA Division of Public Information
Telephone: (+43-1) 2600-22446
Facsimile: +(43-1) 2600-29610
Email: l.potterton@iaea.org
http://www.iaea.org | http://www.youtube.com/IAEAvideo
International Atomic Energy Agency,
Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
About the IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit the IAEA's website www.iaea.org.