India’s Agricultural Treasure: World’s Second-Largest National Genebank Safeguards Crop Diversity as 3,000 Climate-Resilient Varieties Emerge
Dr. P.K. Mishra highlights India’s growing agricultural research capabilities, with genetic conservation and climate-ready crop development strengthening the country’s food security and farming resilience.
India is strengthening its agricultural future through scientific innovation, genetic resource conservation and the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. Highlighting these achievements, Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, has underscored the importance of India’s National Genebank and its expanding contribution to agricultural sustainability and food security.
Addressing the 22nd Foundation Day of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony on 12 November 2026, Dr. Mishra highlighted India’s position as home to the world’s second-largest National Genebank. He also drew attention to the development of approximately 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties, reflecting the country’s continued investment in agricultural research and innovation.
Preserving India’s Agricultural Genetic Heritage
Maintained by the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), the National Genebank plays a vital role in conserving India’s rich diversity of plant genetic resources. Its collection includes traditional varieties, indigenous landraces and other valuable genetic material that can support future crop improvement programmes.
According to government information presented in Parliament in February 2026, the National Genebank conserves approximately 4.74 lakh accessions representing 2,147 species. These resources provide an important foundation for research into improved productivity, disease resistance, nutritional quality and adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
The conservation of agricultural biodiversity is particularly important as climate change, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events create new challenges for farming communities.
Nearly 3,000 Climate-Resilient Varieties Developed
India’s progress in climate-resilient agriculture represents another significant achievement. Between 2014 and 2025, the National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) developed and released 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties out of a total of 3,236 field crop varieties.
These include varieties designed to withstand drought, floods, salinity, heat stress and other environmental challenges. The research involves institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities and other agricultural research centres.
Such developments can help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather conditions while supporting agricultural productivity and more reliable food supplies.
Empowering Farmers Through Innovation
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, also plays an important role in recognising the contributions of both plant breeders and farming communities. It provides a framework for protecting plant varieties and acknowledging farmers’ role in conserving and developing agricultural biodiversity.
India’s efforts to combine traditional agricultural knowledge with modern scientific research demonstrate the importance of innovation in building a resilient agricultural sector.
As the country continues to strengthen its genetic conservation infrastructure and develop improved crop varieties, these initiatives offer an important foundation for sustainable farming, nutritional security and a more climate-resilient food system.
The broader objective is to ensure that India’s agricultural heritage remains protected while equipping future generations of farmers with the scientific resources needed to meet emerging food production challenges.
