As part of efforts to avert the disappearance of crop diversity, which has continued to fade silently, the Crop Trust has announced the launch of Securing Our Seeds (SOS): Digital Innovation for Global Crop Diversity Conservation, a transformative project that will define how the world monitors, protects, and uses crop diversity — the foundation of food security.

This work is funded through a $2m contribution from Google.org’s AI Collaborative: Food Security.

The Crop Trust is an international organisation solely dedicated to building and supporting a global system of genebanks to conserve and make available the diversity of agricultural crops. Some 850+ facilities worldwide collectively safeguard millions of seed and other plant samples.

These are essential for breeding crops that can withstand heat, drought, pests and diseases, as well as providing better nutrition and income opportunities. Yet genebanks face major challenges. Inadequate management and use of the available data leave much of this diversity underused or at risk. The SOS project will address these challenges with two initiatives designed to modernise the global genebank system.

The Executive Director of the Crop Trust, Dr Stefan Schmitz, said: “Crop diversity is disappearing – silently – just when the world needs it most. With Google.org’s support, we are taking critical steps to protect the crop diversity, both in genebanks and in the field that underpins our future food supply.”

With this innovation, it was revealed that SOS will support 10 national genebanks in the Global South to become smart data hubs by expanding the adoption of the open-source GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) genebank information management software; integrating these genebank collections with Genesys, the world’s largest portal to share information on the crop diversity conserved in genebanks; and strengthening digital skills in the global genebank system with training in information management.

It was learnt that improved data management and availability would help researchers, plant breeders and even farmers locate the crop diversity they need. And it would help genebanks work together more effectively and efficiently.

Schmitz said: “Without reliable data, promising diversity will remain hidden. Digitising collections unlocks the full potential of genebanks to enable climate adaptation and solutions to other global challenges. Good data is crucial for global food security.”

With the benefit of detecting risks to diversity, SOS will also explore how artificial intelligence and other approaches can aid in identifying and tracking threats to crop diversity over space and time.

The Director of Programs at the Crop Trust, Dr Sarada Krishnan, said proactive intervention using AI could take crop conservation to a whole new level. “This partnership opens a new chapter in adapting agriculture to climate change.”

Through this project, the Crop Trust, with support from Google.org, says it will build a more resilient, digitally connected global genebank system, using technology to ensure crop diversity is well-documented, well-protected and effectively used.

“Artificial intelligence can give humanity a much-needed boost in the fight against food insecurity. The AI Collaborative for Food Security will enhance the resilience of global food systems and improve food security for the world’s most vulnerable populations by leveraging innovative AI technologies, collaborative research and data-sharing, and coordinated action to improve the pace and efficacy of hunger prediction and intervention.

“This critical work, led by Crop Trust, will better connect the global genebank system; enabling the conservation and use of the seeds we need to future-proof our food systems. Google.org is proud to support this global effort,” Google.org’s Head of AI for Social Good, Alex Diaz said.