In a continued effort to restore and safeguard Kazakhstan’s agricultural heritage, a second batch of native crop genetic resources has been successfully repatriated from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) Genebank in Morocco. This vital transfer was once again facilitated with the support and coordination of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS).
This move reflects President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent call for deeper investment in climate-adaptive agriculture and national seed reserves, as voiced at international summits and reiterated in his policy statements on food security. The repatriation ensures that Kazakhstan regains access to its historical plant biodiversity, which is critical for the development of resilient, locally adapted crop varieties amid changing climate conditions.
The newly arrived collection includes a total of 286 seed accessions, comprised of 151 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum subsp. aestivum), 65 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum), 60 barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare), 8 chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and 2 lentil (Lens culinaris) samples. All materials were securely delivered in polyethylene foil pouches and transported in full compliance with international phytosanitary protocols.
This milestone builds on the successful March 2025 repatriation of 98 wild crop accessions from ICARDA’s Genebank in Lebanon. Together, the two shipments mark a critical step in restoring plant genetic resources of Kazakh origin—originally collected and preserved through international research partnerships—for use in national breeding, conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture.
The latest transfer was closely coordinated with Dr. Athanasios Tsivelikas, Genebank Manager at ICARDA Morocco, and reflects the deepening cooperation between ICARDA and IOFS. It follows a scientific visit organized by IOFS in January 2025, during which Kazakh experts identified Kazakh origin accessions held across ICARDA’s global collections.
This ongoing initiative is part of IOFS’s broader mission to support its Member States in building resilient national genebanks, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and ensuring fair and equitable access to plant genetic resources. IOFS continues to serve as a strategic bridge between international research institutions and national stakeholders, enabling the transfer of knowledge, material, and technical capacity.
The initiative also contributes directly to Kazakhstan’s national targets on biodiversity preservation, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development. It also highlights the critical role of IOFS in enabling knowledge-sharing and resource repatriation among Member States.
“This achievement exemplifies how multilateral partnerships can directly benefit Kazakhstan’s agricultural future,” said H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of IOFS. “We are proud to support the repatriation of genetic material that will empower breeders, scientists, and farmers alike.”
