Wheat Recovery in Syria

Highlighted below is a video from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on seed multiplication for agriculture recovery of Syria. The video highlights how the FAO is working with farmers in increase yields and recover from conflict. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Seed Multiplication for Agriculture Recovery

Discussion Points

• How is the FAO working with farmers to revive agriculture in Syria?
• What did you discover from this video and why did it stick out to you?
• In the second half of the video a Syrian farmer is interviewed about his work with FAO to improve agriculture production. He shares how he was skeptical at first to take their recommendations and many others did not believe he could be successful. Why are so many skeptical to try new practices in agriculture?
• How do we get farmers, producers, and people in general to try new practices? What techniques can be utilized? 

Doomsday Vault Opened

Recently scientists have had to open the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (known as the "Doomsday Seed Vault") to retrieve seeds to continue experiments and recoup lost seeds and research. The link below provides great information on the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. It includes videos, text, and further links to the website for Svalbard. The video (2:40) at the top of the page does a great job of explaining the purpose of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and why it is needed today. There is a second video (1:16) farther down the page that gives a quick overview of seed vaults in general while focusing on Svalbard.  I encourage you to explore the information provided and use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

Arctic Doomsday Vault Opens

Discussion Points

• What is the purpose or why do we need the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (seed vaults in general)?
• What has caused the Svalbard Global Seed Vault to be opened?
• There is a focus on diversity of seeds and crops. Why is it important to preserve this diversity in the interest of global food security?
• The seed vault has many varieties and/or crops that may not exist in nature today. Why is this important?