Fourteen gene banks worldwide have contributed over 11,200 seed samples to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault this week, marking a significant step in preserving global crop diversity amid growing climate and food security challenges. The vault, located in Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago, now protects more than 1.3 million seed varieties as a fail-safe against natural disasters and geopolitical instability.
The latest deposit includes vegetables and traditional crops described by the Crop Trust—a key partner in managing the facility—as essential for both nutritional resilience and cultural heritage. 'These seeds are not just a scientific resource; they represent centuries of agricultural knowledge and community identity,' a spokesperson noted in a press release.
Dubbed the 'Doomsday Vault,' the facility leverages permafrost to maintain subzero temperatures, ensuring long-term preservation. The initiative highlights global collaboration, with contributions from institutions in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Analysts say such efforts are critical as climate change accelerates threats to food systems.
