Gene Bank

Gene Bank: India to establish Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm, ensuring future food and nutritional security under the "Investing in Innovations" theme of Union Budget 2025-26.

• About Gene Bank: It is a storage facility that preserves seeds, pollen, and plant tissues to protect plant species.

o Ensures availability of plant genetic resources for future use.

o Supports crop breeding, scientific research, and biodiversity conservation.

o Maintains genetic diversity, crucial for climate resilience and food security.

• About India’s First National Gene Bank: It was established in 1996 by ICAR-NBPGR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources), New Delhi.
• Global Ranking: Second-largest Gene Bank after Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway).
• Current Status: Houses 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.

o Provides plant genetic resources for crop improvement and conservation in both public and private sectors.

• National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR): Apex Institution under ICAR.

o Objective: Conservation, evaluation, and utilization of plant genetic resources for sustainable agriculture and food security.

o Headquarters: New Delhi

• National Gene Fund: Established under section 45 of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act), to ensures fair distribution of benefits from genetic resources.