Galicia’s “living seed library,” managed by the Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG), is helping restore agricultural biodiversity by conserving and reintroducing more than 3,000 local varieties of cereals and legumes. Preserved under controlled conditions near Pontevedra, these seeds act as a safeguard against climate change, pests, and plant disease while remaining actively connected to farming and food culture.
This work forms part of broader national and international seed conservation efforts supported by the Crop Trust, a global partner in safeguarding crop diversity. Duplicate samples from Spanish collections are secured within the national seed system and, where appropriate, deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, coordinated internationally with the support of the Crop Trust.
By working closely with farmers and chefs, MBG ensures that heritage crops—such as the Bágoa Atlantic pea and Galicia’s black oat (avea moura)—return to fields and kitchens, reinforcing the link between biodiversity, gastronomy, and regional identity. Researchers stress that sustained investment in seed conservation is essential to protect these resources for future generations.
Read full original article “Galicia’s “living seed library” is putting lost crops back on the land” at In Spain News
25 January 2026
