Workshop Overview

The FY2025 FNCA Workshop was held from October 28 to 30, 2025, in Cibinong, Indonesia. The workshop was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan and the Research Center for Food Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and was endorsed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

A total of 32 participants from 9 FNCA member countries - Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam - attended the workshop. In addition, one country - Korea - shared presentation materials with the participants.

Open Webinar

An international team comprising FNCA member countries - Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand - secured competitive funding under the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (FY2025-2027) and launched a collaborative research project. At this year’s workshop, an open webinar was held to introduce this project and highlight successful research outcomes from FNCA member countries. More than 100 participants attended online, followed by active discussions.

Technical Visit

A technical visit was conducted to the Genomic Service laboratory facilities at the Cibinong Science Center, as well as to the experimental fields of the Research Center for Food Crops in Citayam, which are used for sorghum and soybean breeding.

1) Outline

Opening Session

Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha, Head of Research Center for Food Crops, and Mr. Dimas Irawan, FNCA Coordinator of Indonesia, delivered the welcoming remarks, which were followed by opening remarks from Mr. NAKAJIMA Shogo, Researcher at the International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Overview Lectures

Mr. MORIMOTO Koichi, FNCA Advisor of Japan reported on the overview and progress of FNCA activities in2025. Then Dr. HASE Yoshihiro, FNCA Mutation Breeding Project Leader of Japan, outlined activities of FNCA Mutation Breeding Project and explained the purpose of the workshop. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Soeranto Human, Research Center for Food Crops introduced situation of mutation breeding in Indonesia.

Session 1
Country Reports on “Mutation Breeding of Major Crops and Application of New Technologies towards a Sustainable Agriculture”

Nine member countries presented progress and activity plan on the Mutation Breeding of Major Crops and Application of New Technologies towards a Sustainable Agriculture. The summary for each presentation is attached as Annex 3.

Session 2
Open Webinar: “e-ASIA Kickoff Meeting” on Activities of FNCA Mutation Breeding Project and Application of Remote Sensing Technology under e-ASIA Joint Research Program

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Puji Lestari, Head of Research Organization of Agriculture and Food and Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha, Head of Research Center for Food Crops. Then Ms. ANDO Nahoko, Deputy Manager, Department of International Affairs Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) explained the mission and concept of e-Asia joint research program, procedures and schedules for proposal application, and introduced joint programs under e-Asia.

In the sharing session, overview of FNCA and background to e-ASIA application was explained by Dr. HASE Yoshihiro, FNCA Mutation Breeding Project Leader of Japan. Success stories of FNCA plant mutation breeding in the three member countries - the Philippines, Malaysia, and Bangladesh - were followed by the presentations of three different country projects under the e-Asia joint research program that have been implemented in Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Session 3
Roundtable Discussion on “Mutation Breeding of Major Crops and Application of New Technologies towards a Sustainable Agriculture”

A lead speech was delivered by Dr. HASE Yoshihiro, setting off a roundtable discussion on the research plan and the possibilities of further cooperation in line with the purpose of the current phase. After discussion, the participants confirmed the followings:

1. Japan (QST) provides some beam time for Indonesia on Feb 25, 2026. Japan will take another beam time for Bangladesh, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Vietnam in Jan to Mar 2026, if requested.
2. The Philippines tentatively agreed to host the next workshop in 2026. Vietnam and Malaysia are willing to host the workshop in 2027 or 2028.
3. Dr. Hase shared information from the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)/ IAEA regarding request for cooperation in upcoming IAEA Regional Evaluation and Audit in Asia, which will assess how nuclear science and technology are contributing in areas such as agriculture, food security, and climate adaptation. After discussion, it was recognized by all participants that mutation breeding is the important technology with a significant impact on food security, and the continued efforts in this field are essential.
4. The application of new technologies is still a challenging stage and the member countries have some budgetary and technical issues. To sustain these efforts, member countries agreed to seek opportunities for funding and strengthen our collaboration.

Session 4
Minutes and Closing Session

The minutes of the workshop were discussed and agreed by all participants. Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha, the Head of Research Center for Food Crops, and Mr. MORIMOTO Koichi, FNCA Advisor of Japan delivered closing remarks and thanked all participants for their efforts and contribution.

2) Technical Visit

Technical Visit to the Genomic Service laboratory facilities in Cibinong Science Center and experimental fields of Research Center for Food Crops in Citayam for breeding of sorghum and soybean was held.

3) Attachments

Annex 1 Program
Annex 2 List of Participants
Annex 3 Presentation Summary for Session 1

Day 1: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Day 2: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Day 3: Thursday, October 30, 2025

Bangladesh
Dr. A.N.K. Mamun (PL)
Chief Scientific Officer and Director
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

China
Dr. TAN Yuanyuan (PL)
Associate Researcher
Zhejiang University

Indonesia
Dr. Winda Puspitasari (PL)
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha
Head of Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Soeranto Human
Professor, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Yustina C. Febry Salsinha
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Mr. Firmansyah
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Ms. Karlina Syahruddin
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Indrastuti Apri Rumanti
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Untung Susanto
Professor, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Herniwati
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Ms. Setyorini Widyayanti
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Mr. Muhammad Iskandar Ishaq
Senior Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Ms. Yuliasti
Breeder, Plant Mutation Breeding, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Azri Kusuma Dewi
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Ayda Krisnawati
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Dr. Saptowo Jumali Pardal
Researcher, Research Center for Food Crops, BRIN

Japan
Mr. MORIMOTO Koichi
FNCA Advisor of Japan

Mr. NAKAJIMA Shogo
Researcher
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Ms. ANDO Nahoko
Deputy Manager
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

Dr. HASE Yoshihiro (PL)
Senior Principal Researcher
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST)

Dr. KATSURA Keisuke
Professor
Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

Dr. SHIMOKAWA Takashi
Group Leader
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST)

Ms. INOKOSHI Chiaki
Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)

Ms. NISHIMURA Yu
Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)

Malaysia
Mr. Faiz Bin Ahmad (PL)
Research Officer
Malaysian Nuclear Agency

Mongolia
Dr. Bayarsukh Noov (PL)
Director
Institute of Plant and Agricultural Science (IPAS)

Ms. Uugantsetseg Battogtokh
Researcher
Plant Breeding Division, IPAS

The Philippines
Mr. Christopher C. Cabusora (PL)
Senior Science Research Specialist
Philippine Rice Research Institute

Thailand
Ms. Kakanang Punyalue
Agricultural Research Officer
Rice Department

Dr. Prakobkit Dangthaisong
Agricultural Research Officer
Rice Department

Vietnam
Prof. Dr. Le Duc Thao (PL)
Acting General Director
Agricultural Genetics Institute (AGI)