Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Genetic resources in storage
Historical archive
Published under: Stoltenberg's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of Agriculture and Food
News story | Date: 26/03/2008
Svalbard Global Seedvault: There is broad agreement amongst experts that access to variety and genetic diversity in plants is essential in a future of great climatic challenges. Diversity is perhaps the most valuable natural resource we are in possession of, says Terje Riis-Johansen The Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food in a new feature article.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Genetic resources in storage
Svalbard Global Seed Vault: There is broad agreement amongst experts that access to variety and genetic diversity in plants is essential in a future of great climatic challenges. Diversity is perhaps the most valuable natural resource we are in possession of, says Terje Riis-Johansen, the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food in a new feature article.
By establishing the Svalbard Global Seed Vault at a cost of approximately NOK 50 million, Norway has contributed to establishing the ultimate safety net for genetic plant resources. 130 metres inside the permafrost – not far outside Longyearbyen - lie three caverns with a total floor area of 1000 m2. They can hold almost 5 million seed packages. The natural temperature of minus 3-4 degrees centigrade the year round will be brought down to minus 18 by cooling systems.