– This deposit is the largest deposit of seeds ever entered Svalbard Global Seed Vault since its founding 16 years ago. Deposit shows that more and more countries and gene bank recognizes the importance of the Svalbard seed vault. Climate change, natural disasters and wars make the world food production becomes increasingly vulnerable. That's why it's good to see more and more countries coming together to advocate for global food security and plant diversity. Norway has taken on the important responsibility of caring for more than 1,2 million seeds from around the world, says Minister of Agriculture and Food Geir Pollestad.

For this deposit nine new gene banks is the depositor of the world's largest seed collection. There are 23 depositors, half of whom represent Africa. Representatives of the gene bank from Kazakhstan were present during the transfer of seeds. Kazakh Scientific and Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Cultivation deposited fodder seeds and grass seeds.

– When countries after the first time deposit seeds, this is not just a symbolic act, but also part of each country's emergency preparedness work crisis – Pollestad continues.

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Norway lays forest seeds for the second time

Since the creation of the seed vault in 2008, Skogfrøverket already once she deposited forest seeds.

It's been about 10 years since after We have added forest seeds from Norway for the last time. Now we are adding it for the second time, and securing forest seeds is part of our strategy for future seed supply and forestry adaptation to climate change – says the Minister of Agriculture and Food.

In 2015, the first seeds were deposited from Skogfrøverket. During this time, selected batches of spruce and pine seeds were stored, both from natural populations and seed plantations from all over Norway and from many different seed vintages. The seeds that will now be stored are being reinforced with newer batches of spruce and pine seeds. At the same time, the first batches of hanging birch and black alder seeds are also deposited.

In the photo, Minister of Agriculture and Food Geir Pollestad hands out certificates to representatives of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Scientific and Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Cultivation. Representative Åsmund Asdal from NordGen on the right.

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Source: regjeringen, Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Food

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