Indonesia, through the efforts of its researchers, has demonstrated the capability to utilize nuclear technology to develop superior varieties of food crops, which has significantly contributed to strengthening national food resiliency.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia, through its National Research and Innovation Agency's (BRIN's) Nuclear Power Research Organization (ORTN), received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"Indonesia, through the efforts of its researchers, has demonstrated the capability to utilize nuclear technology to develop superior varieties of food crops, which has significantly contributed to strengthening national food resiliency," Indonesia's Ambassador for UN, Darmansjah Djumala, noted in a written statement here on Tuesday.

To this date, the ORTN had utilized nuclear technology to produce 32 rice varieties, 12 soy varieties, three sorghum varieties, one wheat variety, one peanut variety, and one banana variety.

This award was presented by Director General of IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi to Indonesia's Ambassador for the UN Darmansjah Djumala during the 65th IAEA General Conference at the UN's Office in Vienna, Austria, on Monday.

Djumala remarked that the reward demonstrated that Indonesia was acknowledged for its mastery over nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, as well as its application to support national development.

According to the ambassador, the award shows that the program to strengthen the capacity of human resources involved in the development of nuclear technology, conducted by the IAEA and FAO, had proffered real benefits to strengthening the capacity of Indonesia's researchers.

Meanwhile, Grossi stated that climate change, which currently plagued the world, had become a challenge for scientists to develop superior crop varieties.

"The world is facing a serious challenge, in the form of climate change and a threat to food resiliency," he affirmed.

He remarked that collective efforts to find a solution had been continued by global citizens, such as by utilizing nuclear technology to develop superior crop varieties.

The Outstanding Achievement Award was also given by FAO and IAEA to 10 other nations: China, Cuba, India, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Related news: Nuclear energy supplements nation's power supply: Research Agency
Related news: Government ensures support for sustainable tech innovation
Related news: Collaborative spirit, consolidation drive cross-sectoral innovation

Translator: Martha Simanjuntak, Fadhli Ruh
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021