India to Establish Second National Gene Bank for Crop Conservation

The Union Government has announced the establishment of India’s second National Gene Bank (NGB), aiming to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm to enhance future food and nutritional security. This initiative will bolster agricultural biodiversity and safeguard genetic resources critical for sustainable farming and crop resilience.

India’s First National Gene Bank

1. Established in 1996 at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi.
2. Functions as a biorepository for plant genetic material, preserving valuable crop varieties and wild relatives.

What are Gene Banks?

Gene banks serve as biological repositories for storing the genetic material of plants, animals, and microorganisms to ensure biodiversity conservation and long-term food security.

Types of Gene Banks

1. Seed Banks: Store seeds under controlled conditions (e.g., Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway).
2. Field Gene Banks: Maintain live plants in natural conditions for conservation.
3. Cryo-Preservation Banks: Preserve tissues, embryos, and cells at ultra-low temperatures.
4. Pollen and DNA Banks: Store genetic material for breeding and research purposes.

Other Major Gene Banks in India

1. Animal Gene Bank: ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Haryana—preserves livestock genetic material.
2. Microbial Gene Bank: ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), Uttar Pradesh—stores beneficial microorganisms for agriculture.

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