Report of
FNCA 2012 Workshops on Mutation Breeding Project

FNCA JFY2012 Workshops on Mutation Breeding Project took place as follows;

Participants of the Workshop & Open Seminar

Dr. Muhamad Lebai Juri

Dr. Khairuddin Bin Abdul Rahim, Nuclear Malaysia gave an opening speech and Dr. Machi had a presentation for overview of FNCA projects activity and their outcomes in 2012. Then nine final reports for the Sub-Project on Composition or Quality in Rice was presented.

All participating countries presented their 5-year plan for next project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture. Then Dr. Nakai gave a lead speech, and discussion was held on the plan for the next project. Possible collaboration with IAEA/RCA Mutation Breeding Project was also discussed. Finally, conclusion of this meeting and the next project plan proposed by Dr. Machi was discussed and agreed by all participants.

Dr. Muhd Noor Muhd Yunus, Deputy Director of Nuclear Malaysia and Dr. Machi delivered closing remarks and thanked to all participants for their efforts and cooperation to this workshop. All participants expressed gratitudes to Nuclear Malaysia for their great hospitality.

On the Second day, participants had a technical visit to Gamma Greenhouse of Nuclear Malaysia. They received an explanation of the facility and research activities from the operators and experts of Nuclear Malaysia. On the Third day, participants also visited Agro-Biotechnology Institute (ABI) and Dr. Nazir Basiran, Director General, gave a welcoming speech and introduction of the institute. Then they visited the laboratories and facilities.

Visiting Gamma Greenhouse of Malaysian Nuclear Agency

Visiting Agro-Biotechnology Institute (ABI)

Open Seminar "Symposium on Radiation and Nuclear Technologies for Crop Improvement and Productivity in Sustainable Agriculture"
The open seminar "Symposium on Radiation and Nuclear Technologies for Crop Improvement and Productivity in Sustainable Agriculture" was held on the first day and second day of the workshop attended by ca. 150 participants from Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia), agricultural institutes, universities, research institutes, companies and FNCA member countries.
Dr. Muhamad Lebai Juri, Director General of Nuclear Malaysia delivered welcoming remark and expressed warm welcome to all participants. In addition, Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan delivered opening speech and thanked to Malaysia for their hospitality to arrange open seminar and workshop.
At the overview session, strategies and challenges for sustainable agriculture development in Malaysia were introduced by Dr. Sharif Haron, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). Importance of nuclear technology for sustainable agriculture was emphasized by Dr. Machi. In addition, the use of agricultural chemicals and its impact on the environment was presented by Dr. Mohud. Khanif Yusop, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
At the session of mutation breeding, world success and prospect of mutation breeding were presented by Dr. Hirokazu Nakai, Project Leader (PL) of Japan, and then nine success stories on mutation breeding research in member countries were reported. Dr. Liu Luxiang, Lead Country Coordinator of IAEA/RCA Mutation Breeding Project, presented roles and perspectives of IAEA/RCA Mutation Breeding Project, and he also introduced mutation research activity of Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (CAAS).
At the session of nuclear technique for soil management for sustainable agriculture, Dr. Kamaruddin Bin Hashim and Dr. Khairuddin Bin Abdul Rahim of Nuclear Malaysia presented application of radiation technology for plant growth promoter and bio-fertilizer production respectively.
At the session of collaboration and technology transfer, Dr. Mohamad Osman, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) presented mutation breeding research in roselle. Then Mr. Ragu Ponusamy, Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) introduced their activity and possible application of radiation and nuclear technologies. Lastly, Ms. Hayati Taib, Malaysian Agri Hi-Tech (MYAGRI) reported their experience of commercialization for biofertilizer. After that, panel discussion was held on the theme of "Challenges of Application of Mutation Breeding and Nuclear techniques for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture", and panelists and participants made an active discussion.
Dr. Muhd Noor Muhd Yunus, Deputy Director of Nuclear Malaysia and Dr. Machi had speeches to close the seminar successfully and expressed appliciation to all participants. The presentation summaries of the open seminar are attached as Annex 3.

Opening Session
Dr. Abdul Rahim gave an opening speech and Dr. Machi had a presentation for overview of FNCA projects activity and their outcomes in 2012.

Session 1: Final Report for Sub-Project on Composition or Quality in Rice
A total of 9 final reports for the Sub-Project on Composition or Quality in Rice was presented. The summaries are attached as Annex 4.

Session 2: Five-Year Plan for Next Project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture
All participating countries presented their 5-year plan for next project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture. The summaries are attached as Annex 4.

Session 3: Round Table Discussion for Finalizing Five-Year Plan for Plan of Next Proeject
Dr. Nakai gave a lead speech, and discussion was held on the plan for the next project. Possible collaboration with IAEA/RCA Mutation Breeding Project was also discussed. Finally, conclusion of this meeting and the next project plan proposed by Dr. Machi was discussed and agreed by all participants as Annex 5.

Closing Session
Dr. Muhd Yunus and Dr. Machi delivered closing remarks and thanked to all participants for their efforts and cooperation to this workshop. All participants expressed gratitudes to Nuclear Malaysia for their great hospitality.

On the Second day, participants had a technical visit to Gamma Greenhouse of Nuclear Malaysia. They received an explanation of the facility and research activities from the operators and experts of Nuclear Malaysia. On the Third day, participants also visited Agro-Biotechnology Institute (ABI) and Dr. Nazir Basiran, Director General, gave a welcoming speech and introduction of the institute. Then they visited the laboratories and facilities.

Bangladesh

China

Indonesia

Japan

Korea

Malaysia

Mongolia

The Philippines

Thailand

Vietnam

IAEA/RCA