On 15 January 2021, the Minister of Agriculture approved a programme to promote the collection, conservation and use of genetic resources of agricultural crops for the period 2021-2027.
The genetic resource of agricultural crops plays an important role in the preservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Over the next seven years, it is planned to pay more attention to outreach activities on genetic resources and the expansion of the use of old varieties. As a new strand, the conservation and study of wild relative species of cultivated plants will be added according to the programme plan.
"Conservation and research of old varieties of Estonian agricultural crops and natural relatives of cultivated plants is important, as it contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and ensures the possibility of restoring agricultural production even if significant losses occur as a result of pests or other environmental factors," said Minister of Agriculture Arvo Aller, who signed the programme.
"Expanding the use of genetic resources contributes to food diversification, food security, plant breeding and the preservation of our cultural heritage. Thanks to the programme's activities, the genetic resource of Estonian agricultural crops is also deposited in the Svalbard Seed Vault," Aller added.
The programme will be implemented by the research institutions involved in the conservation of genetic resources of agricultural crops: The the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, where the genetic resources of cereals and legumes, oilseed crops, grasses and vegetables are being conserved and studied, the PolliCentre for Horticultural Research at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, which will focus on fruit and berry crops, and the University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, with a focus on the conservation and study of the genetic resources of aromatic, medicinal and ornamental plants.
