This Tuesday, October 6, 2026, a multidisciplinary team from the INIAV – National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research and the Portuguese Plant Germplasm Bank carried out another seed expedition. This time, the destination is the Svalbard Seed Vault, in Longyearbyen, Norway, an important repository for the conservation of global plant biodiversity.
The bean, black-eyed pea, and corn seeds sent will enrich the World Seed Bank, known as the "Noah's Ark" of the world. This is the fifth delivery made by INIAV and the Portuguese Plant Germplasm Bank since 2018, demonstrating Portugal's contribution to global food security.
The team is dedicated daily to the conservation of Portuguese plant resources. The next opening of the World Seed Vault is scheduled for October 13, when this new shipment will be integrated.
