India largest beneficiary of Icrisat genebank

The scientists of the Indian National Agricultural Research System (Nars) are the largest beneficiaries from the genebank at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat).

However, the benefit is mutual as India also contributed the maximum number of accessions from any country to the genebank.

This was disclosed by Icrisat director-general William Dar at an international meet on agricultural biotechnology organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi recently.

He said, "The Indian scientists are the largest beneficiaries of the Icrisat genebank. On an average they have been receiving over 12,000 germ plasm samples annually for research. Eleven varieties from the basic germ plasm material and 134 varieties and hybrids from breeding materials supplied by Icrisat have been released for cultivation in India. Icrisat has almost completed the restoration of the 44,822 germplasm accessions to NBPGR which was requested five years ago."

The genebank has 32,307 accessions of the 11 crops that were received as donations from various institutions in India. Fresh germplasm collections (96) have been made, which resulted in an additional 12,515 accessions. The germplasm accessions receive high priority and attention for regeneration, characterisation, conservation and distribution.

The gene bank itself is named after the famous Indian agricultural scientist, RS Paroda, who served as the chairman and vice-chairman of the Icrisat governing board, he said. It is a storehouse for germplasm of Icrisat's five mandate crops "" pearl millet, sorghum, chickpea, pigeon pea and groundnut.

At present, it has 1,13,849 accessions of these crops from 130 countries. These accessions are critical components of the plant breeding efforts aimed at increasing food security "" both for short-term gains as well as for long-term increase in productivity.

Icrisat's genebank is among the largest within the network of 15 international agricultural research institutions under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The collaboration between the city-based Icrisat and the scientists of India in germplasm exchange had resulted in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor, Dar added.