Agricultural Research Center Egypt

Location

Al Giza, Egypt

Parent Organization

Agricultural Research Center Egypt

Overview

Egypt’s vast and diverse genetic resources - ranging from indigenous plant species to essential livestock breeds and microbial cultures - are a cornerstone of agricultural resilience and biodiversity. However, climate change, urban expansion, and unsustainable farming practices have placed many of these genetic treasures at risk. The National Gene Bank of Egypt (NGB) serves as the country’s primary institution for conserving and managing these invaluable resources. By collecting, storing, and characterizing plant, animal, and microbial genetic materials, NGB ensures that future generations have access to a rich and sustainable genetic pool. These efforts are essential for developing improved crop varieties, breeding resilient livestock, and advancing research in sustainable agriculture and food security. NGB’s commitment extends beyond preservation, it actively collaborates with universities, research institutions, and international gene banks to promote scientific innovation, genetic research, and knowledge exchange. Through its seed banks, cryopreservation labs, and molecular genetics studies, NGB plays a crucial role in enhancing Egypt’s agricultural sustainability, supporting environmental conservation, and securing genetic diversity for the future. Conserving Egypt’s genetic diversity, supporting scientific research and innovation enhancing food security and sustainability collaborating with global genetic banks

Mission

The National Gene Bank of Egypt (NGB) plays a crucial role in conserving and protecting the country’s genetic resources, ensuring biodiversity, and enhancing agricultural sustainability. Established in 2004 under the Agricultural Research Center, NGB focuses on the conservation, collection, and documentation of plant, animal, and microbial genetic resources. Through its extensive programs, NGB supports genetic improvement, facilitates research collaborations, and ensures the availability of high-quality genetic materials for breeding programs. By maintaining a vast collection of seeds, plant varieties, and animal breeds, NGB safeguards Egypt’s agricultural future against environmental challenges and genetic erosion.

The Collection

• The National genebank of Egypt has 450 accessions in Genesys, representing a wide diversity of crops of national importance (Genesys).
• The main conventional crops conserved include 31 accessions of maize (Zea mays) and 12 accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as of April 2026 (Genesys).
• Most accessions are conserved as seeds under long-term storage, while clonally propagated and non-orthodox species are maintained in field genebanks.