BIS Releases New Standard IS 20201:2026 for Community Seed Bank Management
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Released | IS 20201:2026 for Community Seed Bank Management by BIS |
| Developed Under | Biodiversity Sectional Committee of BIS |
| Purpose | Safeguard indigenous crop varieties, strengthen food security, improve climate resilience |
| Key Features | Guidelines for seed collection, storage, viability testing, documentation, risk management, and continuous improvement |
| Supporting Policies | PPV&FR Act (2001), Biological Diversity Act (2002) |
| Contributing Institutions | ICAR-NBPGR, NBA, PPV&FRA, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, BAIF |
| Significance | Ensures farmer access to climate-resilient seeds, preserves biodiversity, reduces dependency on commercial seeds |