About

It was established in 2008 as a backup storage facility for seeds from around the world. The aim of the vault is to safeguard the world's crops and ensure their availability for future generations in case of major global catastrophes, such as natural disasters, climate change, or wars. The seed vault is built deep inside a mountain and is designed to withstand natural and man-made disasters, including earthquakes and nuclear strikes. It is operated by the Global Crop Diversity Trust, in partnership with the Norwegian government and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center. The facility is capable of preserving up to 4. 5 million different seed samples, with each sample containing hundreds of seeds. Currently, the vault holds over one million seed varieties, making it the largest collection of agricultural biodiversity in the world. The seeds stored in the vault come from various genebanks and research institutions around the world. Each country or institution can deposit and access their seeds freely, maintaining their ownership and control over the deposited materials. The vault acts as a safety net for plant breeders, crop scientists, and farmers, providing them with a source of seeds to regenerate their crops in case of a disaster that destroys their local seed collections. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has gained international recognition and has become an important institution for preserving and maintaining genetic diversity. It has received numerous deposits of seeds, including those from war-torn regions such as Syria, as a precautionary measure to protect their crop varieties from being lost forever. The vault's importance has been highlighted during crises, such as the Syrian Civil War and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which have emphasized the need for resilient and diverse food systems. Despite its crucial role, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault faces challenges such as climate change and inadequate funding to maintain its operations and improvements. Efforts are being made to enhance the facility's infrastructure and security measures to ensure long-term preservation of the stored seeds. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault stands as a symbol of international cooperation and the collective responsibility of humanity to protect and preserve biodiversity for future generations. It serves as a vital resource for securing food and agriculture in the face of uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead.