Practical role, global meaning – first-hand experience from NordGen’s soon-to-be Seed Vault Coordinator

Later this year, NordGen's current Seed Vault Coordinator, Åsmund Asdal, will retire from his position. A new person has therefore been recruited to take up the post on 1 June: Fuad Gaši. He has a background as Professor of genetics and plant breeding, as well as Head of the Plant Production Department at the University of Sarajevo. Most recently, he held a position at the Novo Nordisk Inbound Supply Management departement.

From Sarajevo to Svalbard 

Fuad Gaši was born in Bosnia‑Herzegovina but moved to Sweden in the 1990s as a refugee due to the Bosnian war. He later moved back to Sarajevo to begin an academic career and completed his diploma thesis at Wageningen University & Research. At the end of his studies, he became involved in the project called SEEDnet (South East European Network for Plant Genetic Resources). This project, which was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, aimed to set up new, or to develop existing, genebanks in south east European countries.

"That was how I got into plant genetic resources. As a result of that, we created the first genebank in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2008. Since we didn’t have the funding to establish a large genebank, we realised early on that we had to reduce the number of accessions to around 500," says Fuad.

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the genebank, which is part of the University of Sarajevo, faced financial difficulties and was at risk of reducing the number of accessions.

"Luckily, Åsmund Asdal got in touch and informed me about the BOLD project, which made it possible to keep the collection in Sarajevo and send the second‑level duplicates to Svalbard. Building and maintaining a genebank collection is a demanding task, so just knowing there is a safe backup means a lot," says Fuad.

Gathering of seeds, gathering of nations 

Fuad also has experience of international work with organisations such as the ECPGR working groups and FAO collaborations within CGRFA and ITPGRFA. He is looking forward to beginning his work as Seed Vault Coordinator and believes that his network and research background will be useful in the new position.

"In many ways, this is a dream job. I am hoping to initiate some new collaborations with the depositing genebanks. Perhaps we can connect these genebanks with institutions and stakeholders in order to strengthen their genebank collections and help increase seed shipments to the Seed Vault," says Fuad. 

From his time working at a genebank, Fuad has gained personal insight into the practical significance of the Seed Vault. However, he also believes it holds important symbolic value for the global community.

"People and organisations around the world who work with crop diversity can gather around this global symbol for preserving plant genetic resources. I think it is especially important to have something as unifying as the Seed Vault at a time when international collaboration seems to be declining due to political uncertainties," says Fuad.

Åsmund Asdal is pleased with the appointment of his successor:

"I am very happy to leave the responsibility for the Seed Vault to Fuad. We have known each other for around 20 years and been cooperating within different projects, both in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Norway. I am sure that the Seed Vault seed operations are in the best and very competent hands."

Facts: Svalbard Global Seed Vault

• The Seed Vault is operated in a partnership between NordGen, the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Crop Trust.
• The next seed deposits this year are planned for week 25 in June and week 43 in October.