BIS Issues New Standard for Community Seed Banks to Promote Conservation of Indigenous Crop Varieties

BIS Issues New Standard for Community Seed Banks to Promote Conservation of Indigenous Crop Varieties

The Bureau of Indian Standards has introduced 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. The initiative seeks to support sustainable agriculture, enhance seed security, and preserve India's rich agricultural biodiversity.

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¨     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.