Genebanks from 21 institutions, including those in Ukraine and six CGIAR research centres, deposited thousands of seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, strengthening efforts to safeguard crop diversity for future generations.
Thousands of seed samples from around the world were deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on Oct. 13, adding to the more than 1.4 million samples already safeguarded inside the Arctic mountain.
The latest deposit involved 21 institutions, including six CGIAR genebanks, Ukraine’s national genebank and a first-time contributor from Italy. The seeds represent valuable genetic diversity that researchers and plant breeders rely on to develop crops capable of responding to climate change, emerging diseases and other agricultural challenges.
The deposit also came ahead of the late-October ceremony for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, which recognizes the Seed Vault’s contribution to conserving crop diversity and strengthening international cooperation on food security, according to a press release.
“When Norway established the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the vision was to create a secure safeguard for the world’s crop diversity and a shared resource for humanity. Today’s deposit demonstrates that this vision is more relevant than ever. Countries and institutions continue to come together to protect the genetic resources that future generations will depend on for food security and resilience. We are proud to partner with the Crop Trust and NordGen in this unique global effort,” said Nils Kristen Sandtrøen, Norway’s minister of agriculture and food.
Each sample deposited in Svalbard is a duplicate of material held in an existing genebank collection. These backups help ensure that important genetic resources can be recovered if original collections are damaged, destroyed or become inaccessible.
Ukraine Safeguards Crop Diversity Amid War
Among the latest contributors was Ukraine’s National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, which deposited 773 seed samples despite the continuing challenges posed by the war.
“The main challenge was organizing the whole process,” said Viktor K. Riabchoun, head of the National Plant Genebank of Ukraine. “We had to prepare the seeds in close proximity to military hostilities, check and complete the necessary documents, and arrange the packaging and transportation.”
The shipment included buckwheat and other crops important to Ukraine’s agricultural heritage. Buckwheat is widely used in traditional foods, including porridge and soups, and serves as an important backup crop for farmers. Its short growing season allows it to be planted when winter crops fail.
“Safety duplication ensures that valuable genetic resources can be recovered if the original collection is damaged or lost,” Riabchoun said. “For Ukraine, this is particularly important because the war has created additional risks for our genebank infrastructure and collections.”
The effort drew recognition from the organizations responsible for operating the Seed Vault.
“We are pleased to see such a strong participation in this seed deposit and we are well aware of the difficult situation facing the Ukrainian genebank. Their contribution under these circumstances is an extraordinary achievement. It is also a powerful reminder of why the Svalbard Global Seed Vault exists: to protect the world’s irreplaceable genebank collections against all threats and safeguard them for future generations,” said Lene Krøl Andersen, executive director of NordGen.
CGIAR Genebanks Deposit Nearly 9,000 Samples
Six CGIAR genebanks contributed a combined 8,917 seed samples, representing a significant share of the October deposit.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), based in Mexico, made the largest contribution with 3,370 samples of common, durum and emmer wheats, triticale and maize.
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Lebanon deposited 2,039 samples, followed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with 1,890 and the International Potato Center (CIP) with 1,027. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT also contributed.
CGIAR genebanks collectively maintain some of the world’s largest and most important collections of crop genetic diversity, providing materials used in agricultural research and breeding programmes internationally.
“Safety duplication in Svalbard is an essential risk-management measure that helps safeguard agricultural biodiversity for future generations and ensures the continued availability of these valuable genetic resources,” said Dr Rama Jawad, research associate at ICARDA in Lebanon.
ICARDA has previously demonstrated the importance of the Seed Vault’s backup system. Following conflict that disrupted its genebank operations, the organization withdrew seeds from Svalbard to help rebuild its collections before returning duplicates for safekeeping.
CIP’s latest shipment included seeds from wild potato and sweetpotato relatives, maca and its wild relatives, and ahipa. With the new deposit, 91% of its seed collection is now backed up in Svalbard.
IRRI’s contribution included 410 first-time rice deposits representing genetic diversity from Madagascar, Costa Rica and Nepal. The institute has now secured backups of 99.59% of its fully curated collection.
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT also continued efforts to safeguard its collections. Its genebank has faced security threats from guerrilla groups that forced staff to abandon two field stations used to multiply bean seeds.
“This deposit reflects our commitment to ensuring that the agricultural diversity entrusted to us is never lost. Safeguarding these seeds in Svalbard preserves options for farming and science to adapt to climate change, sustain rural livelihoods, and help feed a growing world,” said Peter Wenzl, leader of the Genetic Resources Program at the Alliance’s Future Seeds genebank.
Historic Wheat and Rice Varieties Join the Collection
Italy’s Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) participated for the first time, depositing 272 samples that included traditional and historic wheat and rice varieties.
Among the seeds was Mentana, a wheat variety developed by Italian breeder Nazareno Strampelli in the early 20th century. The variety contributed genetic material to subsequent wheat breeding efforts and the development of varieties cultivated internationally.
“Knowing that some of Italy’s historic wheat and rice varieties are now securely backed up for the future is deeply rewarding,” said Patrizia Vaccino, director of research at CREA.
Other contributors included the Southern African Development Community’s genebank, NordGen, the World Vegetable Center and institutions from Peru, Uruguay, Lithuania, Thailand, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Portugal and New Zealand.
Protecting Genetic Resources for Future Breeding
The latest deposits highlight the role of international cooperation in ensuring that plant genetic resources remain available for future generations of farmers, researchers and breeders.
Kent Nnadozie, secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, emphasized the importance of maintaining access to crop diversity as agriculture faces new pressures.
“Every meal depends on crop diversity developed and conserved over generations,” said Nnadozie. “The International Treaty and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault are vital parts of the global system for safeguarding one of humanity’s most important resources: the diversity that underpins our food systems. By working together, countries and institutions help ensure that farmers and plant breeders have the diversity they need to adapt to climate change, respond to future challenges and keep food on our plates for generations to come.”
The seeds stored in Svalbard remain the property of the institutions that deposited them. The Vault provides secure long-term storage rather than replacing the genebanks responsible for maintaining, studying and distributing crop genetic resources.
“Our food connects us across borders, and so does the responsibility to protect it,” said Stefan Schmitz, executive director of the Crop Trust. “ This deposit shows cooperation in action, through the commitment of genebank teams around the world. In the face of conflict, climate change and hunger, they are protecting something we all depend on – the diversity needed to grow food for generations to come.”
