The Pacific Community has inaugurated its first Cryopreservation Laboratory at the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees with an investment of $1.26 million. This cutting-edge facility is designed to preserve an impressive collection of over 2,000 plant varieties and more than 100 crop and tree species gathered over the last two decades.
Dr. Paula Vivili, the Deputy Director General of the SPC, emphasized that the CryoLab will serve as a secure storage solution for essential crops, such as coconuts, which do not thrive under normal laboratory conditions. By utilizing advanced freezing technologies, this lab ensures the conservation of vital crops for future generations, strengthening the regional system dedicated to preserving the agricultural diversity that sustains Pacific Island nations.
The newly established CryoLab plays a crucial role in safeguarding culturally significant crops like taro, yam, banana, breadfruit, cassava, and coconuts. Vivili remarked that this initiative reflects the collaborative spirit of Pacific leaders, who recognize the need to work together to protect biodiversity that is beyond the capacity of individual countries.
Notably, the laboratory’s functions extend to supporting food security and biodiversity by preserving national plant collections from various Pacific Island countries and territories. It aims to protect Fiji’s unique tree species, often intertwined with cultural and spiritual values.
The SPC highlighted that conservation efforts target more than just storage; they aim to maintain biodiversity that is accessible for food, nutrition, and livelihoods for current and future generations. The establishment of this CryoLab represents hope and commitment to fortifying food security and enhancing agricultural resilience across the Pacific in response to ongoing challenges.