To evaluate the experiences of different countries in the conservation and research of crop genetic resources Ana-Maria Barata, Head of the Portuguese National Genetic Resources Center (INIAV), and Erik Wijnkers, a methodology researcher from the Centre for Genetic Resources in the Netherlands (CGN) visited the Genetic Resources Centre of the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" on 8–9 April.
The visit by the foreign colleagues marked the final stage of an exchange cycle during which gene banks in Portugal, the Netherlands, and Latvia were visited. The aim was to assess the work of each country's gene bank and to develop recommendations for potential improvements.
Scientists of LSFRI "Silava" Dainis Ruņģis and Agnese Gailīte two days introduced the guests not only to the daily operations of the Gene Bank — where seeds of Latvian-origin crops, including wild relatives, are stored and maintained — but also provided insight into the Institute's laboratories and various research directions.
Portuguese and our scientists at "Silava": (from left) Dainis Ruņģis, Eriks Wijnkers, Ana-Maria Barata, and Agnese Gailīte