World’s second-largest refurbished National Gene Bank

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In news- Recently the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare inaugurated the world’s second-largest refurbished state-of-the-art National Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi.

Key updates-

• The refurbished bank will work towards preserving the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations.
• It has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds.
• It also seeks to conserve the diversity of indigenous crops in the country.

The Genesis and purpose of National Gene Bank(NGB)-

• Established in 1996, NGB works towards preserving the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations. 
• Presently, the bank is protecting 4.52 lakh accessions, of which 2.7 lakh are Indian germplasm and the rest have been imported from other nations. 
• National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources is meeting the need of in-situ and ex-situ germplasm conservation through Delhi Headquarters and 10 regional stations across India.
• Primarily, NGB has four kinds of facilities, namely, 
• Seed Genebank (- 18°C).
• Cryogene Bank (-170°C to -196°C).
• In vitro Genebank (25°C), and 
• Field Genebank.
• These facilities help for long-term as well as medium-term conservation of the indigenous crops namely cereals, millets, medicinal and aromatic plants and narcotics, among others.

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