This facility, along with its 12 regional stations, currently stores 0.47 million accessions of plant material. These accessions include cereals (0.17 million), millets (over 60,600), legumes (over 69,200), oilseeds (more than 63,500), and vegetables (nearly 30,000).
In a landmark announcement, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has declared the establishment of a second Gene Bank to conserve India’s rich genetic resources. This initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to food security and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that future generations have access to vital genetic material crucial for agricultural sustainability.
The Role of a Gene Bank
A Gene Bank serves as a repository for genetic materials such as seeds, pollen, and tissue samples from different plant species. These collections are essential for protecting biodiversity, preserving important crop varieties, and preventing extinction. Genetic material stored in these banks is used for research, conservation, and crop breeding, playing a crucial role in developing resilient agricultural systems.
India’s First Gene Bank and Its Achievements
India’s first Gene Bank was established in 1996 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi. This facility, along with its 12 regional stations, currently stores 0.47 million accessions of plant material. These accessions include cereals (0.17 million), millets (over 60,600), legumes (over 69,200), oilseeds (more than 63,500), and vegetables (nearly 30,000). This extensive genetic repository has been instrumental in supporting breeding programs, research, and conservation efforts.
The Need for a Second Gene Bank
Recognizing the increasing threats to biodiversity posed by climate change, natural disasters, and geopolitical uncertainties, the Ministry of Finance has proposed the establishment of a second National Gene Bank in the 2025-26 budget. This facility will house an impressive 10 lakh (1 million) germplasm lines, significantly bolstering India’s genetic resource management capabilities.
Strengthening India’s Position in Global Biodiversity Conservation
India is home to over 811 cultivated crop species and 902 crop wild relatives, making it one of the most biodiversity-rich nations in the world. The second Gene Bank will reinforce India’s leadership in global biodiversity conservation by preserving plant genetic resources (PGR) critical for agricultural resilience and food security. The facility will also support international conservation efforts, particularly in SAARC and BRICS nations, by providing expertise and infrastructure to countries with limited PGR capabilities.
A Safety Net for Genetic Diversity
With global agricultural biodiversity under threat from environmental and human-made disruptions, the establishment of a second Gene Bank will act as a safety net, ensuring the protection of irreplaceable germplasm. The redundancy created by a second facility will enhance the security of stored genetic material, providing a robust backup in case of unforeseen calamities.
India’s Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
This initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing food security, and ensuring long-term ecological balance. The second Gene Bank will serve as a cornerstone for future-ready agricultural practices, aiding researchers, farmers, and policymakers in building climate-resilient farming systems.
The establishment of India’s second Gene Bank is a strategic move to safeguard agricultural biodiversity and secure food security for future generations. By reinforcing its genetic conservation infrastructure, India is taking a significant step towards becoming a global leader in biodiversity conservation while ensuring sustainable agricultural growth and resilience against future challenges.
