India’s Gene Bank

What is a Gene Bank?

• A Gene Bank is an institution where seeds, pollen, and tissue samples are stored for conservation purposes to keep plants from extinction.
• First Gene Bank in India (Established 1996)
  • Under the auspices of ICAR NBPGR, New Delhi, which has 12 Regional Stations.
  • Maintains 0.47 million accessions of cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, and vegetables.

Announcement of India’s Second National GenBank

• Provided in the Budget 2025-26 by the Ministry of Finance.
• Capacity: 1 million lines of germplasm to strengthen agricultural biodiversity.
• Note
  • Contribute towards the preservation of crop diversity and food security.
  • Assist the public and private sectors alike in managing genetic resources.
  • Support India’s role in global biodiversity conservation.
• International Scope
  • Generate support for SAARC and BRICS countries not having established gene banks.
• Importance Against Global Challenges
  • To alleviate threats posed by climate crisis, natural calamities, and geopolitical risks.
  • To provide a guarantee for the long term sustainability of India’s germplasm.

Discussions conducted during the Webinar marry the long term vision of India in the Viksit Bharat 2047 through economy, innovation, and workforce empowerment.
With the commissioning of the new National GenBank, this is strategically aimed at improving food security, conservation of biodiversity, and global agricultural resilience.

Source: PIB