Source: DD News
Context: The Union Government has announced the establishment of a Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm, under the theme “Investing in Innovations” in Budget 2025–26.
- The initiative aims to safeguard India’s agricultural biodiversity and ensure long-term food and nutritional security.
About National Gene Bank (NGB):
- What is a Gene Bank?
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- A repository of plant genetic material (seeds, tissue, pollen) designed to conserve biodiversity and protect crop varieties from extinction.
- Organisation Involved: Managed by ICAR – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
- Aim: To conserve genetic resources of cultivated and wild crops, enabling sustainable agriculture, food security, and resilience against climate change.
- Technology & Facilities:
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- Uses cryogenic storage, long-term seed preservation chambers, DNA fingerprinting, and digital databases for germplasm management.
- Facilitates distribution to breeders, scientists, and global researchers.
- Key Features:
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- Strengthens national and international biodiversity initiatives (e.g., SAARC, BRICS).
- Supports public-private partnerships in crop improvement and seed conservation.
- Acts as a fail-safe genetic vault to secure heritage and climate-resilient varieties.
About India’s First National Gene Bank:
- Location: New Delhi, at ICAR-NBPGR headquarters
- Established in: 1996
- Features:
- Stores 4.71 lakh accessions from 2157 species.
- Includes cereals (1.7 lakh), legumes (69,200+), oilseeds (63,500+), millets (60,600+), vegetables (30,000).
- Operates with 12 regional stations across India.
- Second-largest gene bank globally, contributing to international PGR conservation.
About India’s Second National Gene Bank:
- Location: Yet to be finalised
- Announced in: Union Budget 2025–26
- Key Features:
- Capacity to conserve 10 lakh germplasm lines, doubling India’s gene banking capability.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, focused on advanced genetic storage technologies.
- Supports future-ready agriculture, climate adaptation, and nutritional security goals.
- Serves as a safety duplicate gene vault, ensuring redundancy against natural or man-made threats.
