Georgia has deposited unique samples of its grain crops in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a crucial genetic bank located in Norway’s Arctic region. This initiative aims to protect and preserve the genetic resources of agricultural crops in response to the global challenges.

As reported by the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture, 210 samples of local wheat, corn, and bean varieties - representing Georgia’s agricultural heritage - were collected from eight regions. These samples will be stored at -18°C to ensure their preservation for decades.

During an official visit to Norway, Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Agricultural Research Center, along with other the Georgian representatives, signed an international agreement reinforcing Georgia’s commitment to the global agrobiodiversity efforts. This deposit adds to the vault’s existing collection of over 1.3 million seed samples from 123 countries, highlighting Georgia’s role in the global food security.

The event marked the 17th anniversary of the Svalbard Seed Vault and was part of the project focused on maintaining traditional crop varieties adapted to the climate change.