Cost of conserving genetic resources at ex Situ genebanks: an example of the ICARDA genebank

Abstract

This study estimates the costs of conserving cereals (wheat and barley), forage legumes, and food legumes (chickpea, lentil, and faba bean) in the gene bank maintained by ICARDA and compares the results with those derived for the CIMMYT gene banks in a previous study. The cost structure of the ICARDA gene bank is somewhat different from those of the conservation of maize or wheat at CIMMYT. The per-accession costs of conserving ICARDA crops are, in general, higher than those for wheat and lower than those for maize at CIMMYT. The costs of endowing the ICARDA gene bank in perpetuity is around $12.5 million, at a 4% real rate of interest.