SYLLABUS

GS-2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.

GS-3: Major Crops - Cropping Patterns; Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and MSP.

Context: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a new Indian Standard (IS) aimed at strengthening the management of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) and promoting the conservation of indigenous crop varieties across the country. 

More on the News

• The new standard, IS 20201:2026 Community Seed Bank Management – Requirements, has been developed by the Biodiversity Sectional Committee (EED 06) under the Environment and Ecology Department (EED) of BIS and provides a comprehensive management framework for Community Seed Banks across India.

• This standard is a voluntary certifiable management system standard.

• It aims to strengthen conservation of indigenous, traditional and climate-resilient crop varieties, addressing concerns of genetic erosion, loss of agricultural biodiversity and increasing climate-related risks to agriculture.

• The framework lays down requirements relating to the establishment, governance, seed collection, storage, regeneration, documentation, exchange mechanisms and capacity building of Community Seed Banks.

• The initiative seeks to promote community-led conservation of plant genetic resources, preserve traditional agricultural knowledge, enhance seed security and contribute to sustainable agriculture and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). 

Key Features of the BIS Standard

• Standardized Framework for Establishment and Management: The standard lays down comprehensive requirements for the establishment, governance and operational management of Community Seed Banks.

• Seed Collection, Conservation and Regeneration: It provides guidelines for seed identification, collection, accession, storage, regeneration and periodic renewal to maintain seed viability and genetic purity.

• Documentation and Traceability: The framework emphasizes systematic documentation, inventory management, record-keeping and traceability of conserved seed varieties.

• Community Participation and Governance: It promotes farmer-led management, participatory decision-making and involvement of local institutions, self-help groups and community organizations.

• Knowledge Preservation: The standard encourages documentation and transmission of traditional knowledge related to seed selection, cultivation practices and crop conservation.

• Capacity Building: It highlights the need for training, awareness generation and technical support to ensure the long-term sustainability of Community Seed Banks.

Significance

• Strengthening Seed & Food Security: Community-managed seed systems improve farmers' access to locally adapted seeds, reduce dependence on external seed markets and contribute to food and nutritional security. The initiative also advances SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by supporting sustainable food production systems and conserving agricultural genetic resources.

• Preserving Traditional Knowledge and Community Participation: The framework safeguards indigenous agricultural knowledge related to seed selection, cultivation and conservation, while promoting farmer-led governance and community participation in seed management.

• Conserving Agrobiodiversity and Strengthening Biodiversity Governance: The standard strengthens conservation of indigenous crop varieties, farmer-developed seeds and landraces, helps address genetic erosion, and complements frameworks such as the PPV&FR Act, 2001 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002.  

• Enhancing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture: Traditional crop varieties often possess traits such as drought tolerance, flood resilience and pest resistance. Their conservation supports climate-resilient farming and promotes sustainable agricultural systems adapted to local conditions.

• Supporting Long-Term Agricultural Sustainability: By institutionalising community-based conservation of plant genetic resources, the standard strengthens India's capacity to maintain diverse, resilient and productive agricultural systems in the face of climatic and market uncertainties.