Why in the News?

The reconstituted National Advisory Board on Management of Genetic Resources (NABMGR) held its first meeting on 29 July 2026 at ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, to strengthen India’s agrobiodiversity conservation and promote the sustainable utilization of genetic resources for food security, climate resilience, and Viksit Bharat.

What is NABMGR?

A national advisory body constituted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
First constituted: 2011. Reconstituted: 2026.
Chairman: Dr. R.S. Paroda. Co-Chairman: Dr. M.L. Jat (Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR).

Objectives

Recommend national policies on agrobiodiversity.
Promote integrated management of Plant genetic resources, Animal genetic resources, Fish genetic resources, Microbial genetic resources, and Insect genetic resources
Advise on national and international issues related to genetic resources.

Key Recommendations

Strengthen pre-breeding programmes to utilize conserved germplasm.
Identify unexplored regions for systematic germplasm collection (2026–2031).
Develop an integrated national genetic resources management framework.
Mainstream traditional and underutilized crop varieties, animal breeds, fish species, microbes, and insects.
Strengthen implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Expedite establishment of the National Safety Genebank (NSG) before ICAR’s centenary (2028–29).
Enhance international collaboration, especially with Central Asia and South-East Asia, for germplasm exchange.

Significance

Conserves India’s rich agrobiodiversity.
Broadens the genetic base for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding crops and livestock.
Strengthens food, nutrition and livelihood security.
Supports sustainable agriculture and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Promotes scientific collaboration and evidence-based policy making.

Important Institutions Mentioned

ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR-NBPGR – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)

Value Addition

Agrobiodiversity: It refers to the variety and variability of plants, animals, fish, microorganisms and insects used directly or indirectly for food, agriculture and ecosystem services.
Germplasm: The hereditary genetic material (seeds, tissues, pollen, embryos, etc.) preserved for crop and livestock improvement.
Pre-breeding: The process of transferring useful genes from wild relatives or unadapted genetic resources into breeding materials to develop improved varieties.
Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS): A mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
National Safety Genebank (NSG): A secure backup repository for conserving valuable genetic resources against natural disasters or accidental loss.

[2012] How does the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting the Indian agriculture?
1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.
2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.
3. Application for Intellectual Property Rights related to resources genetic/biological cannot be made without approval of NBA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 Only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

National Advisory Board on Management of Genetic Resources (NABMGR)