Context:
As part of the Union Budget 2025-26, the Indian government has declared the creation of a second National Gene Bank, almost thirty years after the inauguration of the first one.
Gene Bank:
- A gene bank preserves seeds, pollen, or plant tissues to protect plant species from extinction.
- Stored samples help in crop breeding, research, and conservation.
- Protects biodiversity and ensures availability of important crop varieties for future use.
- India’s 1st National Gene Bank: Established in 1996 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi.
- Purpose of the New Gene Bank
- Ensure food and nutritional security for the future.
- Conserve and protect genetic resources for both public and private sectors.
- Current Status of Stored Germplasms (As of January 15, 2025)
- Total accessions: 0.47 million (Cereals – 0.17 million, Millets – Over 60600, Legumes – Over 69200, Oilseeds: More than 63500, Vegetables – Nearly 30000)
- 4 types of facilities
- Seed Genebank: -18°C
- Cryogenebank: -170°C to -196°C
- In vitro Genebank: 25°C
- Field Genebank
Key Terms:
- Germplasm: Living tissue capable of growing into new plants.
- Accession: A single collected variety or varieties of a wild plant, landrace, or selectively bred plant variety, commonly known as a cultivar.
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR)
- Premier institute under ICAR
- Objective: Evaluate, conserve, and use plant genetic resources for sustainable agriculture and food security
- Headquarters: New Delhi
National Gene Fund
- Provides legal framework for protecting plant varieties and farmers’ rights
- Established under Section 45 of the PPVFR Act, 2001
- Objective: Ensure fair distribution of benefits from genetic resources
- Promote sustainable farming practices
- Support conservation of animal and plant genetics
Other Facilities:
- Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway houses the world’s largest collection of seeds.
- India’s Seed Vault is at Chang La (Ladakh) in the Himalayas.
- National Animal Gene Bank, established at NBAGR (Karnal, Haryana)
- Objective: Conserve indigenous livestock biodiversity
- Part of ICAR institutes
- 2019: ICRISAT established the world’s first solar-powered gene bank in Hyderabad.
- 2021: Second-largest refurbished National Gene Bank at NBPGR, inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh
- Advanced facility helps preserve plant genetic resources for future use
ICRISAT Genebank: A Global Example
- Established in 1972 to conserve crop genetic resources
- Supports food security and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Operations extend to Zimbabwe, Niger, and Kenya
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following best describes the main objective of Seed Village Concept?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
(b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
(c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
(d) Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
Answer: (b)