Visiting the Alliance of Biodiversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia offers a rare glimpse into the world of biodiversity preservation and climate-resilient agriculture. As the hosts for this insightful visit alongside COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CIAT and the Earth Journalism Network welcomed us into a landscape bursting with lush, green fields and diverse plant life. This natural beauty underscores a pressing mission: protecting global food security in a changing climate. At the heart of this endeavor is Future Seeds, CIAT’s groundbreaking gene bank.
Future Seeds: A Gene Bank for Climate-Resilient Crops
Led by Genebank Operations Manager Marcella Santaella, Future Seeds safeguards more than 67,000 types of beans, cassava, and tropical forages. These crops, crucial to both human and animal sustenance worldwide, are preserved, studied, and distributed to ensure biodiversity and agricultural resilience. The gene bank’s efforts in conservation and genetic innovation are revolutionary for agriculture’s future, as climate change accelerates and food systems face mounting pressures.
Future Seeds stands out as the world’s first germplasm bank to achieve LEED Platinum certification, a testament to its sustainable design and resource conservation. The facility operates at a precise -20 degrees Celsius, preserving samples from over 100 countries and spanning three of the world’s most important food crops. As Santaella explains, the meticulous conservation of these genetic resources allows researchers to pinpoint which genes enhance a plant’s ability to adapt to different climatic conditions, making this knowledge vital for future farming practices.
Learning from Rwanda: A Legacy of Preservation and Restoration
The necessity of such conservation is emphasized through lessons learned from past conflicts. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, widespread violence uprooted the agricultural community, disrupting food production and endangering numerous traditional crops that had developed resilience over centuries. Recognizing the urgent need for agricultural recovery, CIAT and six other research centers launched an emergency plan. Within a year, they managed to repatriate 260 bean varieties from Palmira to Rwanda, helping restore the country’s agricultural diversity and food security.
This story is a powerful reminder of how genetic conservation can support communities even in the most adverse conditions. Today, Future Seeds’ work continues in other regions, like Kenya, where CIAT collaborates with the International Livestock Research Institute and the World Agroforestry Centre to further research and aid sustainable agriculture.
Biofortified Crops and Carbon Capture: Addressing Nutrition and Climate
In addition to preserving traditional crops, Future Seeds has expanded its focus to include biofortified varieties nutrient-rich crops specifically designed to address malnutrition in regions where diets lack diversity. For example, CIAT has developed iron- and zinc-rich beans that are pest-resistant, reducing the need for pesticides. With over 30 partners, the initiative promotes the growth and consumption of these fortified beans in nutritionally vulnerable areas, contributing to a healthier, more resilient food supply.
Beyond food security, CIAT’s research extends to combating climate change. We had the privilege of meeting Dr. Jacobo Arango, a senior scientist at CIAT, who shared insights into the organization’s innovative work with tropical grasses and legumes. These crops are being studied for their potential to capture and store carbon deep within the soil, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This ability, which varies based on the plants’ root depth, could prove invaluable for mitigating climate impacts, especially in regions heavily reliant on agriculture.
Global Impact Through Local Collaboration
Today, CIAT’s genetic resources benefit researchers and farmers worldwide. More than half a million samples have been distributed globally, reaching universities, national agricultural research centers, and farmers through the CGIAR network and other partnerships. These samples represent a vast pool of genetic diversity essential for developing resilient crops.
In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change, the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT are beacons of hope. Future Seeds exemplifies the blend of innovation, collaboration, and scientific dedication needed to create a sustainable, food-secure future. From repatriating seeds after conflict to promoting climate-resilient and biofortified crops, their work resonates as both a safeguard for our planet’s biodiversity and a pathway toward a resilient agricultural future.
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