India to Establish Second National Gene Bank for Future Food Security
- agrieventsindia
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
About
The Indian government has announced plans to set up a second National Gene Bank (NGB) to strengthen the country’s agricultural resilience and food security.
This initiative aligns with the "Investing in Innovations" theme under the Union Budget 2025-26, aiming to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm to safeguard India’s biodiversity for future generations.
Existing Gene Bank & Its Importance
Currently, India houses its first National Gene Bank at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi.
It is the second-largest gene bank globally, storing 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.
These collections play a vital role in crop improvement, research, and development, benefiting public and private agricultural institutions.
What Will the New Gene Bank Do?
The second National Gene Bank will focus on:
✅ Expanding storage capacity for diverse crop species and wild relatives.
✅ Ensuring long-term conservation of plant genetic resources against climate change and other threats.
✅ Supporting research & breeding programs to develop climate-resilient crops.
✅ Providing critical resources to scientists, farmers, and policymakers for sustainable agricultural development.
Government’s Commitment to Agricultural Innovation
With this initiative, India aims to strengthen genetic resource conservation, enabling better preparedness for future agricultural challenges. This move will contribute significantly to food and nutritional security, particularly in the face of climate change and evolving pest and disease threats.
The second National Gene Bank will ensure that India's diverse crop heritage remains preserved for future generations, supporting farmers and researchers in their quest for higher productivity and sustainable farming.
Please visit official website for more and applying...
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