NordGen

NordGen, the Nordic Genetic Resource Center, is an organization established by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Its primary mission is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture and forestry across the Nordic countries. NordGen operates through three main sectors: Forest, Livestock, and Forest. Each sector focuses on a specific area of genetic diversity.

The Forest sector is dedicated to conserving the genetic variation of trees and other forest plants. This involves collecting and storing seeds, as well as facilitating research and cooperation on forest genetic resources. The Livestock sector works to preserve the diversity of Nordic farm animal breeds, which are often well-adapted to local conditions and possess unique traits. This includes maintaining gene banks for semen and embryos and supporting breeding programs.

The Agriculture sector, which was historically a separate entity but is now integrated into the broader NordGen mission, focuses on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This involves maintaining a public gene bank with a vast collection of seeds from Nordic crops and their wild relatives, as well as promoting their use in breeding and research. NordGen serves as a crucial hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing among Nordic countries, contributing to food security, biodiversity, and the resilience of Nordic agriculture and forestry. Its work is essential for safeguarding valuable genetic resources for future generations.