Read all about it.
From cutting-edge research to work saving seeds in communities, even our small actions can have a big impact on saving crop diversity and putting it to good use. Read the latest news highlighting these efforts and more.
Latest Article
Vietnam Recognizes its First-Ever Rice Variety Derived from Crop Wild Relatives
Plant Breeders Innovate Against Climate Change
Vietnam's agriculture is at a crossroads. Extreme weather events, higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are putting pressure on the country’s food supply and disrupting...
20 Jun 2025
Filter by
Heritage and Health Take Center Stage at the Latest Svalbard Global Seed Vault Deposit
As genebanks around the world deposit seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault this week, the focus is on how crop diversity reflects cultural heritage.
LONGYEARBYEN, NORWAY, 3 June 2025 – Fourteen genebanks will deposit...
3 Jun 2025
The Wow Potatoes of Kenya: Fighting Late Blight with Farmer-Approved, Disease-Resistant Spuds
Fighting Late Blight with Farmer-Approved, Disease-Resistant Spuds
30 May 2025
Ugandan Farmers Teach Scientists to Rethink Seed Systems
Training Course in Uganda Taps Community Knowledge of Seed Systems
26 May 2025
Jack Harlan: Sounding the Alarm on Crop Diversity Loss
In this edition, our Seed Heroes series pays tribute to U.S. scientist Jack Harlan. His plant collection expeditions and profound multidisciplinary knowledge helped shape the future of crop diversity conservation and genebanks.
19 May 2025
Seeds and Storms: Safeguarding the Philippines’ Crop Diversity Against Climate Change
Every year, the Philippines braces for an average of 20 typhoons. And every year, the scientists at the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) in Los Baños do a lot of worrying. The next storm could erase decades of...
17 Apr 2025
From 100 to Four: Favorites in Focus for BOLDER Opportunity Crops
BOLDER Project Stakeholders Meet to Identify 15 Underutilized Species for Conservation and Use
Over 250 farmers, genebank experts, government representatives, and private-sector partners gathered in Benin, Ghana, Tanzania and...
14 Apr 2025
Sudan’s National Genebank Begins Rebuilding as Famine Threatens
Staff count the cost of armed conflict and step up efforts to conserve Sudan’s unique collection of sorghum and other crops.
Almost two years after Sudan’s civil war broke out, the northeast African nation is experiencing one of...
13 Mar 2025
The Women’s Committee of Cotacachi: Guardians of the Chakras
This edition of our Seed Heroes series is about the Women’s Committee of UNORCAC in Ecuador, who safeguard crop diversity, promote food sovereignty, and empower their communities through the chakra andina farming system and...
7 Mar 2025
From War Zones to Typhoon-Prone Shores, Nations Rally to Protect Their Crops, Make Landmark Deposits to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Photos, b-roll and captions
Partner organizations from across the globe are gathering in Norway this week to deposit seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, with Sudan making a deposit amid the country’s ongoing civil war
Longy...
25 Feb 2025
Zimbabwe’s Crop Diversity Secured in Svalbard
Sofia ran her hand through a bowl of traditional rice seeds from some nearby farms. “Where should I place this?” she asked her fellow members of the Chimukoko Community Seed Bank. The farmers were identifying and sorting popular...
24 Feb 2025
Plan B for Backup: Sweetpotato Seeds Go to Svalbard
There’s a sweetpotato variety in Papua New Guinea called “Gimane.” But farmers prefer to call it “I don’t care.” Gimane earned this name because it doesn’t care – it grows well with almost no inputs, making it a hassle-free crop....
19 Feb 2025