Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Hidden in Norway’s Arctic, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault safeguards 1.3 million seed varieties. This underground fortress could one day reboot agriculture after a global catastrophe.
Seeds are stored at −18°C, but even if power fails, thick rock and permafrost will keep them frozen. This fail-safe design ensures crops survive war, disasters, and climate change.
This week, the vault received 14,000 new seed samples, from Thai rice to Sudanese sorghum. These collections preserve biodiversity and protect global food security.
With 8 million people displaced by war in Sudan, local seed banks are at risk. Sudanese scientists say the vault ensures their crops survive, offering hope for future generations.
Extreme weather has wiped out seed stocks in the Philippines. By securing these crops in Svalbard, scientists are fighting against the rapid loss of genetic diversity in food.
More than 100 meters inside a mountain, the vault is safe from flooding, earthquakes, and war. Even in the worst-case scenario, humanity’s food supply will have a backup.
Unlike traditional seed banks, Svalbard is not threatened by funding cuts, war, or faulty freezers. It acts as the world’s agricultural safety net, ready to be tapped when needed.
With space for 4.5 million crop varieties, the vault can store 2.5 billion seeds. If civilization collapses, these seeds could help rebuild the world’s farms from scratch.
Experts warn that climate change, war, and industrial farming are wiping out crop diversity. Svalbard could be the key to feeding future generations, no matter what happens.