What does POM do?

What is POM?

To insure the long-term survival and sustainable use of our cultivated plant resources, a national programme for cultivated plant diversity, abbreviated POM has been established. POM is intended to improve the co-ordination and management of cultivated plants. The programme was initiated 1998 by the Ministry of Agriculture in consultation with authorities, organisations, the private sector and non-profit organisations active on the issues. The Swedish Biodiversity Centre, CBM has had the responsibility to co-ordinate POM's various activities since 2000.

POM:s folder in English (pdf)

POM's main tasks include the following:

• inventory, collection and conservation of cultivated plants
• increasing the use of cultivated plants
• organizing and carrying out research on cultivated plants
• information and capacity building
• international collaboration

Why should we conserve cultivated plants?

Humans have been cultivating plants and developing garden and agricultural systems for more than 10 000 years. Several species have gradually been adapted to meet people's needs. They have become domesticated. When plants became so called cultivated plants, they lost the characteristics which made them specially adapted to their natural environment. With the help of humans they have instead developed other characteristics. They have contributed to people being able to live in permanent settlements, sustain a larger population and develop art, craft and technical skills.

Most of the plants cultivated today have their origins in other countries or regions. Sweden 's climate places special requirements on our cultivated plants. They need to be very hardy to survive the cold winters and short, often cool summers. Species and varieties which are adapted to our climate are, generally speaking, a result of a long period of cultivation and selection. Current changes to the world's climate will place new demands on climate adaptation and resilience to pests. Therefore, the genetic diversity of our cultivated plants is an important heritage to maintain.