As global leaders in the distribution of germplasm (seeds, tubers and other plant material), CGIAR genebanks and breeding programs have a responsibility to ensure that the material they send out is healthy and safe to use.

To address this need, CGIAR has established Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) co-located with each of its eleven genebanks around the world. They are the first line of defence against pests and diseases and, by centralising controls, provide an efficient route for compliance with safety and quarantine regulations.

The exact procedures carried out by GHUs depend on the crop, the purpose of the distribution and the regulations in the countries involved. But the labs’ work normally involves producing seeds in a low-risk environment, screening for hidden infections, and applying treatments to eliminate pests and diseases. Final products are tested using sensitive diagnostics to check their health status before they are sent out.

It is impossible to quantify their impact precisely but there is every chance that GHU scientists have prevented or slowed the spread of dozens of pests and diseases around the world. Their efforts provide the foundation for the international exchange of crop diversity. And they provide excellent value for money: a recent impact case study on the GHU role in distribution of rice germplasm to Bangladesh indicated a benefit-cost ratio of 112.

Without the GHUs, it would be slower, riskier and more expensive to share materials that are vital to efforts to grow nutritious food in a changing climate.

Learn more about GHUs: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/2/328