A gene bank serves as a biorepository for preserving genetic material, such as seeds, pollen, and tissue samples, collected from various plant species. The primary objective is to protect these valuable resources from extinction and support research, conservation, and breeding efforts.

In a significant step towards securing India’s agricultural future and reinforcing global biodiversity conservation efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a second National Gene Bank. This initiative, revealed during a post-budget webinar, aims to safeguard India’s extensive genetic resources and ensure food security for future generations.

The announcement was made as part of a virtual session fostering collaboration between government bodies, industry leaders, academia, and citizens. The discussions centered around the transformative budget initiatives focused on sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and agricultural resilience, contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Towards Agricultural Sustainability

A gene bank serves as a biorepository for preserving genetic material, such as seeds, pollen, and tissue samples, collected from various plant species. The primary objective is to protect these valuable resources from extinction and support research, conservation, and breeding efforts. This initiative aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable farming systems, enhance agricultural resilience, and address the challenges posed by climate change.

India’s first National Gene Bank was established in 1996 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi. The existing facility, with 12 regional stations across the country, currently houses approximately 0.47 million accessions, including cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, and vegetables.

With the government allocating funds for a second National Gene Bank in the 2025-26 budget, the new facility will have the capacity to store up to 1 million germplasm lines. This expansion will enhance India’s ability to conserve its agricultural biodiversity and support both public and private sector research initiatives.

Commitment to Global Biodiversity Conservation

India is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiversity-rich countries, home to over 811 cultivated crop species and 902 crop wild relatives. Preserving plant genetic resources (PGR) is critical for agricultural sustainability and global food security. By expanding its gene banking capabilities, India is reinforcing its leadership in biodiversity conservation, offering assistance to international efforts, especially in SAARC and BRICS nations.

With rapid climate change, natural disasters, and other global challenges threatening genetic diversity, the establishment of a second gene bank will act as a safety net. This redundancy structure ensures that India’s vital germplasm remains secure, supporting global research collaborations and fostering long-term sustainability in agriculture.

Guardians of Agricultural Diversity

Gene banks are essential institutions that preserve the genetic material of crops, ensuring that valuable traits—such as drought resistance, pest tolerance, and climate adaptability—are not lost. The materials stored in these facilities serve as the foundation for developing resilient crop varieties capable of withstanding environmental stresses.

The second National Gene Bank will employ advanced conservation techniques, including:

• Seed Banking: Long-term storage of seeds at sub-zero temperatures to preserve genetic integrity.
• Cryopreservation: Ultra-low-temperature storage of reproductive materials in liquid nitrogen to ensure viability for decades.
• In-vitro Conservation: Cultivation of plantlets in controlled environments for species that cannot be preserved as seeds.
• Field Gene Banks: Maintenance of living plant specimens, particularly for fruit trees and other perennial species.

This multi-pronged approach will ensure that India’s agricultural heritage remains intact, offering researchers and breeders access to a vast genetic repository for developing future-ready crops.

Strengthening Agricultural Resilience

The gene bank expansion is a crucial part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen agricultural resilience and food security. As the nation grapples with unpredictable climate patterns and evolving threats to food production, the conservation of diverse genetic resources becomes imperative.

Modern agriculture has led to a decline in traditional crop diversity, making it essential to preserve heirloom varieties and indigenous crops that have evolved over centuries. By establishing the second National Gene Bank, India is not only securing its own food future but also contributing to global food security efforts.

Additionally, the new gene bank will support:

• Crop Improvement Programs: Providing breeders with genetic material to develop high-yield, climate-resilient crops.
• Scientific Research: Enabling studies on plant genetics, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Farmer Empowerment: Offering farmers access to diverse seed varieties, promoting agro-biodiversity.
• Disaster Preparedness: Ensuring genetic material is available for restoring agricultural systems affected by natural calamities.

Global Initiative; Far-Reaching Impact

India’s commitment to gene banking is part of a larger global initiative to conserve plant genetic resources. The establishment of the second National Gene Bank aligns with international efforts such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, which acts as a backup repository for gene banks worldwide.

As part of this initiative, India will strengthen its partnerships with global institutions, sharing best practices in conservation and collaborating on research projects to address common agricultural challenges. This move also positions India as a key player in the international discourse on food security and biodiversity conservation.

A Future-Ready India

The establishment of a second National Gene Bank marks a historic milestone in India’s agricultural journey. By preserving its rich genetic diversity, India is taking proactive steps to address future challenges in food production, climate adaptation, and sustainable agriculture.

Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership in this initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring that future generations inherit a resilient and food-secure India. With strong policy support, scientific advancements, and collaborative efforts, the second National Gene Bank will serve as a cornerstone of India’s agricultural future, reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in biodiversity conservation. As India moves forward with its ambitious plans, this initiative is set to leave a lasting impact on the country’s food security landscape, setting an example for the world in sustainable genetic resource management.