Scientists urgently seek help to save Sudan’s main seed bank

January 26, 2024 (LONDON) – Sudanese scientists have launched an urgent appeal for assistance to safeguard the country’s primary seed bank, located in Wad Medani, Al-Jazirah State, from potential destruction and loss following its looting and vandalism by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In an open letter released on January 24, Swedish-based Sudanese plant scientist Mohammed Elsafy expressed grave concern over the Central Gene Bank of the Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre in Wad Medani, characterizing its plight as an “unprecedented existential threat.”

Elsafy informed Research Professional News, which originally broke the story, that the deep freezers housing the seeds had been pilfered. He further explained that, due to the seeds’ secure containment in sealed aluminium envelopes, they remain viable for several months.

“This is why we are prioritizing relocating the seeds to a secure location under international safeguard,” Elsafy emphasized. “We possess the seeds now, but their safety cannot be guaranteed if the forces resume their bombardment.”

Sudan’s gene bank harbours an extensive collection of over 15,000 samples, including seeds, for essential food and agricultural staples such as watermelon, sorghum, and pearl millet.

The RSF assumed control of Al-Jazirah State on December 18, 2023. Since then, civilians have consistently reported incidents of looting, including personal vehicles and possessions, along with vandalism of public services.

The World Food Programme (WFP) corroborated these claims, alleging that the RSF had raided its premises in central Sudan state on December 28, plundering food supplies and vandalizing its warehouse and office in Wad Medani.

In his letter, Elsafy appealed to Sudan’s long-standing research partners, Swedish aid agency Sida and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NGRC), to extend their assistance in relocating the seed bank’s collections to a safer location within Sudan.

He also extended his call to the global plant science community, requesting their support in preserving Sudan’s seed collection and facilitating its safe transport to the international seed vault in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.

“The gravity of this crisis demands immediate global action to protect Sudan’s agricultural biodiversity richness and safeguard this pivotal institution from irreparable harm,” Elsafy declared.

“While the Svalbard seed vault prioritizes deposits from unstable regions, Sudan’s exigent situation necessitates immediate assistance,” he added.

(ST)