Plant genebank of Sudan: Towards recovery from the wreckage of war to a new era of further capacity development based on lessons learnt from similar situations

Abstract This study examines the critical situation faced by Sudan’s Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre (APGRC) during an ongoing civil war. The center houses over 17,000 accessions of diverse crop species, including globally significant collections of sorghum and pearl millet, which represent an irreplaceable repository of agricultural biodiversity. Recent militant attacks have severely damaged the center’s infrastructure and collections, threatening decades of conservation. Through an analysis of recent reports and institutional documentation, we document the APGRC’s history and achievements, assess current conflict impacts, and propose a framework for recovery and long-term resilience. The international response, including emergency seed rescue operations and safety duplication at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, demonstrates the vital importance of global cooperation in preserving plant genetic resources during armed conflicts. This case highlights the vulnerability of ex-situ conservation facilities in politically unstable regions and the need for decentralized conservation networks, robust safety duplication systems, and sustained international support. We presented a phased recovery plan that addresses immediate needs, medium-term stabilization, and long-term resilience building. The global community has a shared interest in preserving the unique crop diversity of Sudan, particularly its drought-tolerant sorghum and millet varieties, which may be the key to agricultural adaptation to climate change. The response to the APGRC crisis demonstrates the recognition of this shared interest; however, sustained commitment is needed to ensure the long-term conservation of Sudan’s irreplaceable plant genetic heritage