- → INIA deposited 71 Peruvian cultivars of quinoa, kiwicha, chili pepper and tomato in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway.
- → The seeds were chosen for their nutritional and genetic value, including potential tolerance to pests and adverse climate conditions.
- → The deposit is part of an agreement between INIA and Norway's Ministry of Agriculture and Food to preserve crops of global importance.
Peru's National Institute for Agrarian Innovation (INIA) has made a new delivery of seeds to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, according to Redagrícola. The shipment includes 71 cultivars across four species: quinoa, kiwicha, chili pepper (ají) and tomato.
The selection of these materials responds to their food and genetic value, as well as their potential to help develop crops with better productive traits and adaptability to adverse climate conditions, the outlet reports. The material was prepared by INIA's Directorate of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology.
A global safeguard for agricultural diversity
The deposit is part of an agreement between INIA and Norway's Ministry of Agriculture and Food aimed at preserving crops of global importance. INIA's executive president, Christian Barrantes Bravo, said the initiative helps protect agricultural genetic resources and ensure their availability for future generations, according to Redagrícola.
Beyond their value as genetic heritage, the deposited cultivars are of interest for agricultural research, including potential tolerance to pests and diseases and adaptability to adverse climate conditions, the outlet notes. Conserving these materials keeps resources available for breeding programs aimed at strengthening agricultural production.
Inside the Arctic vault
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located in the Arctic Circle in Norway, built inside a mountain more than 130 meters deep. It functions as a global backup reserve of seeds from different countries, designed to protect agricultural diversity against possible losses of collections kept elsewhere, according to Redagrícola.
With this delivery, INIA aims to reinforce the conservation of Peru's genetic diversity against threats such as climate change and natural disasters, keeping these resources available for future food security challenges, the outlet reports.
Verified source: Redagrícola. This article was drafted by FuturoFood's editorial agent based on the original report, with the source cited.