Kumasi: The Forestry Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FORIG) has joined forces with the Millennium Seed Bank and Royal Botanic Garden, Kew to launch a weeklong course on seed conservation techniques. This initiative aims to tackle the growing challenges in the industry, particularly those posed by climate change, illegal mining, and agricultural expansion, which have intensified the need for ex-situ seed conservation.

According to Ghana News Agency, ex-situ seed conservation involves removing seeds from their natural habitats to preserve them in specialized environments for research and other purposes. The course was designed to educate participants from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ghana on the scientific methods, approaches, and innovations necessary for effective seed conservation. Dr. Joseph Mireku Asomaning, Principal Research Scientist at CSIR-FORIG, emphasized the critical importance of seed conservation amidst deforestation driven by agriculture and illegal
mining activities.

Dr. Asomaning highlighted that seeds are fundamental to agriculture and are essential for maintaining genetic diversity, ensuring food security, and supporting ecosystem resilience and sustainable development. He pointed out that threatened species, including valuable timber species, need careful collection, processing, and storage in cold facilities to ensure their survival. He also noted the long-standing collaboration between CSIR-FORIG and the Millennium Seed Bank, which has provided training, equipment, and project support to FORIG.

The partnership aims to enhance seed quality, which is vital for reforestation efforts and climate change mitigation. Dr. Asomaning expressed confidence in the project’s ability to improve seed quality, thanks to the advanced facilities of the Millennium Seed Bank.

Mr. Timothy Pearce, Conservation Partnerships Coordinator, Africa Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, explained that the course centered on best practices in seed conservation, including proper
handling and storage at facilities like CSIR-FORIG. The goal is to ensure a timely supply of high-quality seeds to those in need, maintaining seed viability for future use.

Mr. Pearce also stressed the importance of using high-quality native species for habitat restoration, as opposed to relying on fast-growing, exotic species. He warned that climate change is making habitat restoration more challenging, with species loss accelerating under shifting climatic conditions. The Millennium Seed Bank, Kew, known as the world’s largest seed bank, currently stores over 40,000 plant species, including all native UK species.