The Indian government has announced the establishment of a second National Gene Bank, nearly three decades after the first one was set up as part of the Union Budget 2025-26.
What is a Gene Bank?
- A gene bank is a storage facility that preserves seeds, pollen, or plant tissues to protect plant species from extinction.
- These stored samples help in crop breeding, research, and conservation.
- It helps in protecting biodiversity and ensures the availability of important crop varieties for future use.
- India’s First National Gene Bank
- Established in 1996 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi.
- Purpose of the New Gene Bank
- The new gene bank aims to ensure food and nutritional security for the future.
- It will help conserve and protect genetic resources for both the public and private sectors.
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- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR): It is a premier institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Objective: It aims to evaluate, conserve, and use plant genetic resources for sustainable agriculture and food security.
- Headquarter: New Delhi.
- National Gene Fund: This fund provides a legal framework for the protection of the plant varieties and farmers rights.
- Established: Section 45 of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act).
- Objective: It ensures fair distribution of benefits from genetic resources, promotes sustainable farming practices, and supports conservation of animal and plant genetics.
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- Current Status of Stored Germplasms
- As of January 15, 2025, the gene bank holds 0.47 million accessions (plant material used for breeding), including:
- Cereals: 0.17 million accessions
- Millets: Over 60,600 accessions
- Legumes: Over 69,200 accessions
- Oilseeds: More than 63,500 accessions
- Vegetables: Nearly 30,000 accessions
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ICRISAT Genebank: A Global Example
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Genebank was established in 1972 to conserve crop genetic resources.
- It stores genetic material of 11 key crops, including:
- Sorghum, Pearl millet, Finger millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Proso millet, Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Chickpea, Pigeon pea, and Groundnut.
- The genebank supports food security and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Apart from India, ICRISAT also operates in Zimbabwe, Niger, and Kenya.
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Innovative Gene Bank Initiatives
- 2019: ICRISAT established the world’s first solar-powered gene bank in Hyderabad.
- 2021: The world’s second-largest refurbished National Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), was inaugurated in Madhya pradesh.
- This advanced facility helps preserve plant genetic resources for future use.
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