Gene Bank

Indian Prime Minister has recently announced the establishment of a Gene Bank to conserve India's genetic resources and ensure food security for future generations.

• About: Gene Bank is a repository of genetic material (seeds, pollen, tissue samples) from different plant species, preserving vital crop varieties to prevent extinction.
• India’s first Gene Bank was established in 1996 by ICAR-NBPGR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources) in New Delhi.
  Aim: To strengthen India’s leadership in global biodiversity conservation and support sustainable farming systems.
• India is biodiversity-rich, with 811 cultivated crop species and 902 crop wild relatives, playing a key role in plant genetic resource (PGR) conservation.
• The new facility will: Strengthen India’s global biodiversity conservation efforts → Support international biodiversity initiatives (SAARC & BRICS nations) → Provide a safety duplicate structure to safeguard germplasm from climate change, disasters, and geopolitical risks.