The Pacific Community has officially launched its inaugural Cryopreservation Laboratory at the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees, a significant investment of $1.26 million aimed at preserving the diversity of agricultural resources in the region. This innovative facility is set to safeguard an extensive collection of over 2,000 plant varieties and more than 100 species of crops and trees that have been collected over the past two decades.
Dr. Paula Vivili, Deputy Director General of the SPC, emphasized the importance of the CryoLab as a vital storage solution for key crops like coconuts, which struggle to survive in standard laboratory settings. By leveraging state-of-the-art freezing technologies, the lab will ensure that these essential crops are conserved for future generations, thereby enhancing the regional commitment to maintaining the agricultural diversity that underpins the livelihoods of Pacific Island nations.
The new CryoLab is crucial for protecting culturally significant crops including taro, yam, banana, breadfruit, cassava, and coconuts. Vivili noted that this initiative exemplifies the collaborative efforts of Pacific leaders who recognize the urgent need to unite in the protection of biodiversity that extends beyond the capabilities of individual countries.
Furthermore, the laboratory’s purpose extends beyond mere preservation; it actively supports food security and biodiversity by maintaining national plant collections from various Pacific Island nations and territories. The initiative is particularly focused on safeguarding Fiji’s unique tree species, which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance.
The SPC emphasized that their conservation strategies are comprehensive, targeting not only the storage of plant varieties but also the accessibility of biodiversity for food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for both present and future generations. The establishment of this CryoLab offers a beacon of hope and a renewed commitment to bolstering food security and agricultural resilience in the Pacific, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by the region.