In Costa Rica, a special setup is saving seeds to feed future generations

A scientist stores seeds at the seed bank of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Photos: Ezequiel Becerra/AFP

In the tropical mountains of Costa Rica, scientists guard a treasure trove of seeds collected over decades as a bulwark against food insecurity and climate change.Some 6,200 samples from 125 species of squash, chilli, tomato and other edible plants are held at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) near the town of Turrialba.

In temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, the seeds can be kept for up to 40 years for purposes of research, genetic engineering of plants more resistant to pests, diseases or changing weather, or to replace species that die out.