Malaysia has taken a significant step towards securing its agricultural heritage by sending traditional crop seeds to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV) in Norway. This initiative ensures that essential food sources remain protected in case of environmental or man-made disasters.
Photo via Facebook (MARDI)
The SGSV, often referred to as the 'Doomsday Vault', is the world’s most secure seed bank. Located on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen in Longyearbyen, Norway, it is designed to withstand threats such as climate change, natural disasters, and even nuclear conflict. With its freezing temperatures and layers of permafrost, seeds stored in the vault can remain viable for centuries.
The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) has been dedicated to preserving genetic food resources for decades. As part of the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods, and Development (BOLD) Project, funded by CropTrust, MARDI successfully deposited 725 crop accessions into the SGSV.
These contributions include heritage seeds of rice, eggplant, and long beans, sourced from MyGeneBank and the National Rice Gene Bank. Some of these collections date back to 1977, highlighting Malaysia’s long-standing commitment to agricultural conservation.
Two shipments from Malaysia were sent in May and December 2024, and on 26 February 2025, the vault officially received the country's contribution alongside seeds from 20 other nations. This milestone not only enhances Malaysia’s food security but also strengthens global efforts to protect agricultural biodiversity.
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By securing its seeds in the Svalbard vault, Malaysia ensures that future generations can continue to cultivate and consume traditional crop varieties. In the face of climate change and other emerging threats, having a backup plan for food production is more critical than ever.
Currently, the SGSV holds over 1.3 million seed varieties from across the world, serving as an insurance policy for global food security. With Malaysia’s latest contribution, the country joins a worldwide mission to safeguard the future of agriculture.
