Asia'S Largest Gene Bank Starts Functioning

Asia's largest gene bank has become operational at the Pusa Institute campus in New Delhi.

It has been built at a cost of Rs 100 crore with US assitance and will be part of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NGPGR). The gene bank is expected to be a boon for the country's crop improvement programme as it would make the sources of relevant genes available to the breeders.

According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) director general R. S. Paroda, the future crop research would have to aim at sustainable productivity. The preservation of the genetic diversity and its judicious exploitation would play a significant role in ensuring sustainable yield levels.

 

NBPGR director P.L.Gautam said the new facility would add to the efficiency of agricultural scientists in the development of new varieties suited to different situations. The gene bank would help the NBPGR protect nation's soveriegn genetic resources, he said.