A seed vault established in 2008 in the northern hemisphere to preserve seeds from around the world will receive another delivery, of Taiwan's valuable millet.
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With an average temperature of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, this remote region lies within the Arctic Circle, marking the northernmost accessible point reachable by airplane. Here stands the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a testament to human ingenuity in preserving biodiversity. The vault operates without electricity and ensures the viability of seeds stored within for up to ten centuries.
The "Doomsday Seed Vault" safeguards 4.5 million seed samples from catastrophes like earthquakes or nuclear wars. Taiwanese journalist Howard Huang (黃傲天) emphasizes the significance of Taiwan's millet, which will be dispatched to the Arctic by the end of May.
Taiwanese millet plays a critical role in combating climate change due to its drought tolerance and adaptability. To address global climate crises, preserving millet's genetic diversity is vital.
The CEO of Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center (KBCC), Li Chia-wei (李家維), notes that millet can withstand storage better than most tropical plants. However, under normal temperature conditions, its vitality can only be preserved for three to five years. Long-term preservation requires dryness and low temperatures, conditions that are abundantly met in the world's coldest place, the Arctic.
Taiwan's initiative to send millet to the vault in the Arctic is not merely a scientific endeavor but also a form of cultural diplomacy. Revered as the “Noah's Ark of global agriculture”, the seed vault aligns Taiwan with global efforts to ensure the continuity of local agricultural species, showcasing Taiwan's unique beauty to the world.