India is embarking on a pivotal agricultural infrastructure project, establishing its second national crop gene bank in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, a strategic move designed to fortify the nation’s food security against the escalating threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical instability. This ambitious undertaking, projected to cost an estimated ₹500 crore, represents a significant capital investment in biological resilience, aiming to create a robust backup for the country’s vast and invaluable plant genetic resources. The initiative underscores a proactive approach to safeguarding agricultural heritage and ensuring the long-term viability of food systems for a burgeoning population of over 1.4 billion people.
The global agricultural landscape is increasingly characterized by volatility. Climate change manifests through unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, intense floods, and the emergence of new pests and diseases, all of which pose severe risks to crop yields and food supply chains. Concurrently, rapid urbanization, deforestation, and industrial agriculture practices have led to an alarming decline in plant genetic diversity. It is estimated that while Earth hosts approximately 300,000 higher plant species, only about 7,000 have been domesticated for human use, and a mere 30 species now account for nearly 95% of the world’s dietary energy and protein. This narrow genetic base makes global food systems inherently vulnerable to shocks, intensifying the need for comprehensive genetic conservation efforts worldwide. Institutions like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway serve as a testament to this global imperative, providing an ultimate backup for the world’s crop diversity.
India has long recognized the critical importance of preserving its agro-biodiversity. The nation’s first National Gene Bank (NGB) was established in 1996 at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi. This facility stands as the world’s second-largest gene bank, a testament to India’s commitment to genetic conservation. As of January 1st, its vaults meticulously conserve over 4.74 lakh (474,000) accessions, encompassing more than 2,000 diverse plant species. This includes a rich repository of cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruit crops, many of which are indigenous landraces or wild relatives. The NGB operates with the support of 12 regional stations strategically located across the country, facilitating the collection, characterization, and conservation of crop germplasm from diverse agro-climatic zones. These regional hubs play a crucial role in bringing samples from farmers’ fields, wild habitats, and breeding programs into the national collection, where they are evaluated for distinctiveness, threat levels, and breeding potential before being stored under controlled conditions of low temperature and humidity, ensuring their viability for decades.
The decision to establish a second gene bank is rooted in a multifaceted strategic rationale. Primarily, it serves as a critical redundancy measure, creating an essential backup against potential catastrophic events that could compromise the existing facility in New Delhi. While the NBPGR is a state-of-the-art facility, any single point of failure – whether due to natural disasters, unforeseen operational disruptions, or even geopolitical incidents – could have profound implications for India’s genetic wealth. A duplicate gene bank mitigates this risk, acting as an indispensable insurance policy for the nation’s agricultural future. This "genetic insurance" extends beyond mere backup; it is a proactive safeguard against the irreversible loss of unique genetic traits that could be vital for future crop improvement.
Beyond disaster preparedness, the new Keylong gene bank will significantly enhance India’s capacity to address the challenges posed by climate change. A broader and more secure genetic reservoir empowers scientists to identify and utilize traits that confer resilience to adverse environmental conditions. For instance, genes for drought tolerance, salinity resistance, heat stress adaptation, or resistance to emerging pathogens can be isolated from conserved germplasm and integrated into new crop varieties through conventional breeding or advanced biotechnological methods. This genetic toolkit is indispensable for developing "climate-smart" crops that can thrive in a changing environment, thereby stabilizing agricultural production and rural livelihoods. The Keylong facility, with its capacity to conserve an additional 10 lakh (1 million) germplasm samples, will provide an expansive genetic library, allowing for accelerated research and development in this critical area. The project was officially announced in the Union Budget for 2025–26, with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) currently preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to guide its implementation.
The selection of Keylong, a remote town in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, is a testament to meticulous scientific and logistical planning. Gene banks require highly stable, low-temperature environments, typically around -18°C, to ensure the long-term viability of seeds. Keylong’s naturally cold, high-altitude climate offers a distinct advantage: it significantly reduces the energy consumption required to maintain these cryogenic conditions. This makes the facility not only more energy-efficient and sustainable but also more reliable in the event of power outages or grid instabilities. The inherent cold acts as a natural safeguard, reinforcing the security of the stored genetic material. Furthermore, the region’s relative isolation contributes an additional layer of security, shielding the bank from urban pollution, industrial accidents, and certain forms of geopolitical risk. Officials familiar with the plan anticipate civil work to commence shortly, with the gene bank likely to become operational by the end of calendar year 2027.
The establishment of this new gene bank is poised to deliver substantial economic and agricultural dividends. For Indian farmers, it translates into enhanced access to improved crop varieties that are higher yielding, more resilient to local environmental stresses, and resistant to prevalent diseases. This directly contributes to increased productivity, reduced crop losses, and greater income stability, especially for small and marginal farmers who are often most vulnerable to agricultural shocks. By fostering a diverse and resilient agricultural base, the gene bank will play a crucial role in strengthening India’s overall food security, reducing its reliance on external seed sources, and protecting against global food price volatility.
For the scientific community, the Keylong facility will serve as an unparalleled resource. Researchers will have expanded access to a vast repository of genetic traits, enabling advanced breeding programs, genomic studies, and the development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies. This will accelerate the pace of crop improvement, allowing for the rapid deployment of new varieties tailored to specific regional needs and emerging environmental challenges. Dr. D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at ICAR, emphasized the initiative’s profound importance, stating, "Amid growing uncertainties, establishing a secure backup gene bank has become critically important. Modeled on global best practices, this initiative will act as a genetic insurance policy, underpinning our long-term food resilience and agricultural innovation."
Beyond national benefits, the Keylong gene bank is expected to bolster India’s position as a leader in global biodiversity conservation. The facility will be designed to support international collaboration, potentially extending conservation services and genetic resources to neighboring countries within the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) regions. This collaborative spirit is vital for global food security, as many countries increasingly rely on crops originating from diverse geographical regions. By facilitating the exchange of germplasm across borders, India can contribute significantly to the collective effort to ensure access to the genetic diversity needed to secure future food supplies for the entire planet.
The conservation of crop genetic diversity is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a fundamental pillar of national development and global sustainability. India’s rich agricultural heritage, exemplified by its estimated 50,000 rice landraces and approximately 200 wild rice species, alongside a continuous stream of new improved varieties, represents an irreplaceable asset. Each unique variety holds genetic secrets that could unlock solutions to future agricultural challenges, from combating new pathogens to thriving in drastically altered climates. The ₹500 crore investment in the Keylong gene bank is thus not just an expenditure but a far-sighted strategic investment in the future of Indian agriculture, guaranteeing both economic prosperity and ecological integrity for generations to come. This project exemplifies India’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and food-secure future, cementing its role as a responsible steward of global agro-biodiversity.
