Oslo - The Norwegian government has signed a deal to begin stockpiling 30,000 tons of grain against potential crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war, and climate change. This decision was solidified by signing a deal to store 30,000 tons of grain, spearheaded by Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad and involving four private companies. The stored grain will be managed in facilities distributed across the country and will remain the property of the Norwegian government.

This initiative marks the beginning of a larger plan to build up a national grain reserve, with the goal of reaching 82,500 tons by 2029. This amount is calculated to provide sufficient grain for three months of consumption by Norway's population in the event of a crisis. The urgency of this project was heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and emphasized the importance of national preparedness.

Historically, Norway had maintained grain reserves, but the storage sites were closed in 2003 when they were deemed unnecessary. The recent geopolitical tensions and disruptions led Norway to reevaluate its emergency preparedness. In response, a commission was established to assess the country's readiness for such crises, and it recommended reinstating grain stockpiles.

In addition to this national effort, Norway is home to the Global Seed Vault located in the Svalbard archipelago, about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the North Pole. Since its opening in 2008, the vault has collected nearly 1 million seed samples from gene banks and organizations around the world. This initiative serves as a global insurance policy to preserve crop diversity in the face of natural or human-caused disasters.

The Norwegian government funded the construction of the Global Seed Vault, while an international nonprofit organization covers the operational costs. This facility is crucial for safeguarding agricultural biodiversity and ensuring food security on a global scale.