Genetic diversity in crops is essential to ensure we all have access to nutritious food now and in the future.
Plant breeders, researchers and growers need to access new sources of genetic variation in order to develop and produce new crop varieties. New varieties need to have greater resilience to unfavourable environments, and a lower need for inputs such as water, fertilizer and pesticides - and they need to look and taste good.
Our conservation work means that seed from wild species related to crops, farmer-developed landraces other varieties remain available for use. This enables plant breeders and researchers to access the widest range of diversity possible.
