Why in the news?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Department of Consumer Affairs has released IS 20201:2026 – Community Seed Bank Management: Requirements, providing the first standardised framework for the management of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in India.
What is IS 20201:2026?
- Title: IS 20201:2026 Community Seed Bank Management – Requirements
- Released by: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Parent Ministry: Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- Developed by: Biodiversity Sectional Committee (EED 06) Under BIS’s Environment and Ecology Department (EED).
Objective
The standard seeks to:
- Conserve indigenous seed varieties.
- Protect agricultural biodiversity.
- Promote community-led seed conservation.
- Enhance climate resilience in agriculture.
- Ensure long-term food and nutritional security.
- Empower farmers through decentralised seed systems.
What are Community Seed Banks (CSBs)?
Community Seed Banks are Decentralised, community-managed repositories that collect, conserve, multiply, store, and exchange locally adapted seeds.
Functions
- Preservation of traditional crop varieties.
- Seed exchange among farmers.
- Maintenance of seed diversity.
- Supply of quality seeds during climatic shocks.
- Protection of farmers’ knowledge.
[2017] Consider the following statements:
1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2