Ukraine opens new Duplicate Centre to safeguard national plant genetic resources

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ukraine, with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust), and Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen) has officially opened the Duplicate Centre for Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine and handed it over to the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (NAAS).

The opening of the Duplicate Centre marks the second phase of the joint EU–FAO project launched in 2022 in response to the destruction of the National Gene Bank in Kharkiv. Following the emergency evacuation of 51 000 samples of long-term storage to a temporary site in western Ukraine, the new Centre now provides a permanent and secure home for these collections and forms the backbone of the country’s modernized plant genetic resources system. The modular facility includes laboratories, drying, cold and freezing rooms, and office space to support full-scale scientific work, ensuring the long-term and sustainable preservation of Ukraine’s unique seed collections. 

“This facility represents a tangible outcome of our partnership with FAO and Ukraine’s scientific community,” said Henrik Huitfeldt, EU Delegation to Ukraine, Head of Section for Public Finance, Business Support, and Social Policies. “By supporting the establishment of the Duplicate Centre, the EU contributes to safeguarding not only Ukraine’s agricultural heritage but also crop diversity that is vital for global food security.”

The EU-funded project, implemented by FAO in cooperation with the NAAS and technical support from the International Plant Treaty, Crop Trust and NordGen, has also led to the adoption of the National Strategy for the Development of the Plant Genetic Resources System of Ukraine (2024–2028) and the introduction of the international information platform GRIN-Global. These will strengthen data exchange, research collaboration, and Ukraine’s integration into global conservation efforts.

“The opening of the Duplicate Centre is a milestone for Ukrainian science and for FAO’s broader mission to help countries protect the foundation of their food systems,” said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of FAO Office in Ukraine. “This initiative ensures that Ukraine’s unique plant genetic resources – some of which are not available in any other gene bank – will be preserved for future generations of farmers and researchers. Each conserved seed offers new possibilities for breeders and scientists in addressing climate change and food insecurity.” 

The Duplicate Centre is equipped with modern laboratory instruments and is designed for energy efficiency, with the installation of a 100 kW solar power plant planned by the end of 2025-beginning 2026. Together with the Yuriev Institute of Plant Production and the Ustymivka Experimental Station, the Centre forms a consolidated national network for conserving over 154 000 samples representing 2 002 unique plant species. 

“Thanks to the support of FAO, the EU, and our international partners, we have built a modern facility that guarantees the long-term security of Ukraine’s genetic resources,” emphasized Yaroslav Hadzalo, President of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. “This Centre will become a hub for research, training, and international cooperation in plant breeding and biodiversity conservation.”

Many of the preserved collections – including wheat, triticale, barley, pea, chickpea, temperate forages and sunflower – are of global significance for crop diversity and food security. In line with international best practices, Ukraine is also taking steps to duplicate and safeguard its plant genetic resources in secure international repositories such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. While most of the national collection has not yet been backed up abroad, the establishment of the Duplicate Centre now provides a stable foundation for long-term preservation and further international cooperation.

The project’s achievements – from the safe relocation of the national seed collection to the creation of a sustainable system for its maintenance – demonstrate how international solidarity can protect the world’s agricultural diversity even amid war. Every preserved seed in the Duplicate Centre represents a building block for future food production, resilience, and recovery in Ukraine and beyond.