Gene banks hold the key to future food security – but preservation not enough

This was evident at last week's The Seeds of Resilience Conference 2026, where up to two hundred international researchers gathered in Malmö.

– To strengthen resilient food systems, genetic resources must also be accessible, well documented and actively used by researchers, plant breeders and farmers, says Lise Lykke Steffensen, Head of Department, Biosystems and Technology, and former Executive Director at Nordgen.

Speaking as keynote on the future role of gene banks in agriculture, she highlighted a growing challenge. While many gene banks successfully conserve plant genetic resources, only a fraction of their collections is ultimately distributed and put to use.

– Conservation is only the first step. The real value of genetic resources is realised when they contribute to developing crops that can withstand new environmental and societal challenges, says Steffensen.

Genetic material doesn’t reach those who need it

Gene banks preserve the plant diversity needed to adapt agriculture to changing conditions, from prolonged droughts and extreme weather events to emerging pests and diseases. This diversity is increasingly important as farmers and breeders search for crops capable of producing reliable yields under uncertain conditions.

To ensure that collections remain useful, international guidelines such as the FAO Gene bank Standards provide frameworks for acquiring, conserving, documenting and distributing plant material. Quality-management systems and international gene bank reviews are helping institutions improve their practices and maximise the value of their collections.

– Despite these efforts, many gene banks face practical barriers. Limited resources, incomplete documentation and operational challenges can make it difficult for valuable genetic material to reach those who need it. As a result, large amounts of conserved diversity remain underutilised, Lise Lykke Steffensen continues.

Climate pressures and geopolitical tensions are creating new demands

At the same time, the landscape surrounding food production is changing rapidly. Climate pressures, shifting markets and geopolitical tensions are disrupting traditional agricultural value chains while creating new demands for crop adaptation. This has prompted closer collaboration between gene banks, researchers, farmers and the private sector.

– These new partnerships are creating opportunities to accelerate innovation, ensuring that genetic diversity is not only conserved but also transformed into tangible solutions for agriculture and food production.

According to Steffensen, the future success of gene banks will depend on their ability to bridge the gap between conservation and use. Emerging technologies, stronger quality systems and closer cooperation across the agrifood sector could help unlock the full potential of plant genetic resources.

As governments and institutions seek ways to build more sustainable and resilient food systems, gene banks may prove to be one of agriculture's most important but often overlooked assets.

– The challenge now is not only to safeguard diversity for future generations, but to put it to work today, says Steffensen.