The crop repatriation program of the International Potato Center returns conserved potato and sweetpotato varieties from its genebank to the countries and communities where they originated, restoring lost biodiversity and putting it back to work in farmers’ fields. By identifying native varieties, cleaning them of disease, and reintroducing them through national partners, the program strengthens climate resilience, supports seed systems, and reconnects communities with their agricultural heritage. Aligned with the principles of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, repatriation ensures that genetic resources are not only conserved, but actively used to benefit farmers, researchers, and food systems worldwide.
