Uzbekistan has deposited more than 20 types of agricultural crop seeds, including varieties of watermelon, melon, and eggplant, into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world’s most secure seed storage facility, located in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced.

According to the ministry, the seed samples represent ancient and local Uzbek crop varieties and were delivered through a joint effort involving Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, the Scientific Research Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen).

Officials say the initiative marks a significant step in Uzbekistan’s efforts to preserve genetic diversity, strengthen its national gene pool, and contribute to global food security. The seeds deposited include traditional varieties of melon, watermelon, tomato, pepper, eggplant, carrot, onion, and wheat. Among these, the native “Qayroqtosh” wheat variety is of particular cultural and agricultural importance.

Representatives from the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources emphasized that the initiative reflects Uzbekistan’s ongoing commitment to protecting plant biodiversity, supporting global food resilience, and safeguarding genetic material for future generations.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located deep within the Arctic permafrost and maintained at a constant temperature of -18°C, currently stores more than 1.1 million seed samples from around the world. Operated by the Norwegian government in partnership with the Crop Trust and NordGen, the vault provides a secure backup for global seed collections, offering protection against threats such as climate change, natural disasters, or geopolitical crises.