Portugal is set to deposit 334 additional seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, also known as the "doomsday vault." This will bring the total number of Portuguese seed samples stored in the vault to 1,861. The deposit is part of Portugal's efforts to safeguard its genetic resources and contribute to global food security. The seed samples include 303 common bean, 18 broad bean, and 13 corn varieties.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was established in 2008 to provide a safe storage facility for seed samples from around the world. The vault allows countries to store duplicate copies of their seed collections, ensuring that valuable genetic material is preserved in case of natural disasters, conflicts, or technical failures. The vault is managed by a partnership between the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Nordic Genetic Resource Centre (NordGen), and the Global Crop Trust.
Portugal has been actively involved in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault since 2018, when it made its first deposit of seed samples. Since then, the country has made several additional deposits, including in 2020, 2023, and 2025. These deposits have included a range of crop species, such as corn, barley, rye, wheat, common bean, and broad bean. The seed samples are conserved at the Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV) and the Banco Português de Germoplasma Vegetal (BPGV) in Portugal.
The deposit of seed samples is part of a broader effort by Portugal to conserve its genetic resources. The country is also participating in the "100 Year Seed Longevity Experiment," a scientific study aimed at evaluating the longevity and conservation of seeds over a century. Additionally, Portugal has been an active participant in international initiatives related to the conservation of genetic resources, including the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has made significant progress in recent years, surpassing 1.4 million stored seed samples in June 2023. The vault provides a secure storage facility for seed samples from around the world, helping to protect crop diversity and ensure global food security. The deposit of seed samples from Portugal and other countries is an important contribution to this effort.
The ceremony marking the deposit of the 334 seed samples will be attended by representatives from over 20 genebanks from different countries, including institutions from Ukraine, Lebanon, and South Africa. The event highlights the importance of international cooperation in the conservation of genetic resources. Portugal's participation in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is also a reflection of its commitment to global food security and sustainability.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is an important infrastructure for the conservation of genetic resources, and Portugal's deposit of seed samples is a significant contribution to this effort. The country's participation in international initiatives related to genetic resource conservation demonstrates its commitment to protecting crop diversity and ensuring global food security. The deposit of seed samples will help to safeguard Portugal's genetic resources for future generations.
Key points
- Portugal deposits 334 seed samples in Svalbard Global Seed Vault, raising total to 1,861.
- The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has surpassed 1.4 million stored seed samples.
- Portugal participates in international initiatives related to genetic resource conservation.
