The V International Conference la ValSe-Food and VIII Symposium Chia-Link: Feeding Biodiversity and Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: the Role of Ancestral Crops in Creating Healthy Food, was organized by the International la ValSe-Food (Iberoamerican Valuable Seeds) Network-CYTED. The conference was held from 4 to 6 October 2023 in Valencia, Spain.

Ancient grains refer to a category of grains that have been cultivated for thousands of years and have remained largely unchanged by modern plant breeding practices. These grains have a long history as staple foods in various cultures around the world.

Ancient grains have gained popularity in recent years due to their nutritional benefits, unique flavours, and potential health benefits compared to modern grains. They are often sought after for their higher fibre, vitamins, and mineral content, as well as their suitability for at-risk or sensitive populations.

In addition to promoting safe, sustainable, nutritious, and healthy food, la ValSe-Food Network also recognizes the importance of biodiversity and addressing climate change. The network acknowledges that ancient crops play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and enhancing resilience in agricultural systems.

In this sense, ancient crops possess unique, naturally selected genetic traits, making them valuable resources for future breeding programs and the development of climate-resilient crops, which can help to maintain biodiversity and protect against the loss of valuable genetic resources in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. .