Since 1979, the Nordic countries have maintained a strategic seed bank to safeguard their food supply against crises such as wars, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Managed by the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen), this initiative ensures the preservation of essential plant species critical for food security and biodiversity.
A network of secured seed banks
The Nordic seed bank operates across three countries—Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The main storage facility is located in Sweden, while two additional vaults are strategically placed in Denmark, at a secret location, and within the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Svalbard globale frøhvelv) in Norway. These secondary facilities serve as backups in case of damage or loss of the primary storage.
Currently, the bank holds millions of seeds from 536 different plant species, including 238 varieties of carrots and 2,500 types of peas. Additionally, it preserves medicinal seeds from 16th-century monastic gardens and historical potato varieties from the time of Christian IV of Denmark.
Heightened security amid global instability
As global tensions and environmental uncertainties rise, NordGen has increased security measures at all three sites. The seed banks now operate under 24/7 surveillance, featuring advanced monitoring systems such as motion detectors and high-tech cameras. The need for reinforced security stems from fears of sabotage and unauthorized interest in these genetic resources.
“The seed bank is the Nordic region’s most important room. We cannot survive without food, and we must ensure that we can produce it in the future,” said Lise Lykke Steffensen, Executive Director of NordGen.
Seed bank: Nordic cooperation for food security
Denmark’s Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen (V), has called for greater collaboration among Nordic nations to enhance food security.
“We share common interests in securing food supply and safety. This initiative is a strong example of what we can learn from and apply to other areas,” he stated.
The Nordic Council of Ministers funds approximately half of NordGen’s operations, with the rest financed through research projects. The minister sees further opportunities for cooperation in supply chain management and crisis preparedness.
Seed bank: a priceless resource for the future
Experts emphasize that the seed bank is irreplaceable. Losing the collection would not only cost hundreds of millions in restoration efforts, but it would also take decades to rebuild.
“This is not just a theoretical precaution; it is a vital part of our ability to ensure food availability in uncertain times,” Minister Jensen added.
As global instability persists, the Nordic seed bank remains one of the world’s most crucial food security initiatives, setting a precedent for international cooperation in genetic resource preservation.
