Two scientists have been named the 2024 World Food Prize Laureates in recognition of their crucial roles in preserving the world’s crop diversity and ensuring global food security
Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin and Dr. Cary Fowler are recognized for their crucial roles in creating the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, ensuring the preservation of crop diversity for future generations.
The Svalbard Vault, located in the Arctic Circle, stores over 1.25 million seed samples from around the world, acting as a secure backup to protect against threats to global food security.
In 2008, the Svalbard Vault was established based on Dr. Cary Fowler's vision, backed by Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin and international partners, to preserve crop diversity and ensure future food security.
The Svalbard Vault, known as the "Doomsday Vault," serves as a safeguard against catastrophic events such as climate change, natural disasters, and human conflicts, protecting the world's crop diversity in a secure underground facility.
Dr. Fowler and Dr. Hawtin advocate for global collaboration in seed conservation. Their work in establishing international agreements fosters cooperation among nations to address food security challenges collectively.
Dr. Fowler and Dr. Hawtin advocate for global collaboration in seed conservation. Their work in establishing international agreements fosters cooperation among nations to address food security challenges collectively.