BIS Introduces New Standard for Community Seed Banks to Protect Indigenous Crop Varieties and Strengthen Food Security
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
New Delhi, June 11, 2026: In a significant step towards preserving India’s agricultural biodiversity and promoting sustainable farming, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Department of Consumer Affairs has released IS 20201:2026 – Community Seed Bank Management: Requirements. The new Indian Standard establishes a structured framework for the management and operation of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) across the country.
Developed by the Biodiversity Sectional Committee (EED 06) under the Environment and Ecology Department of BIS, the standard aims to create uniform guidelines for conserving indigenous seed varieties and improving the resilience of Indian agriculture in the face of climate change.
Preserving traditional seeds for future generations
India’s agriculture is increasingly facing challenges such as irregular rainfall, rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions. Traditional seed varieties, many of which possess natural drought tolerance, disease resistance and superior nutritional qualities, are considered valuable genetic resources for ensuring long-term food security.
The newly introduced standard seeks to strengthen the conservation of these indigenous seeds by providing standardized procedures for community-managed seed banks, enabling local communities to safeguard valuable crop diversity.
Supporting sustainable agriculture
According to BIS, the initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of promoting sustainable agriculture and preserving agricultural biodiversity. It complements existing programmes such as the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), which provides financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh for establishing community seed banks, as well as legal protections available under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Comprehensive operational guidelines
The standard provides detailed requirements covering the complete lifecycle of community seed bank operations, including:
- Organizational management and governance
- Seed collection and acquisition
- Seed cleaning, drying and storage
- Viability testing and quality assurance
- Documentation and record management
- Seed regeneration practices
- Risk management strategies
- Continuous improvement mechanisms
By establishing these protocols, the standard aims to ensure that farmers have reliable access to high-quality, locally adapted seeds while strengthening grassroots resilience against changing climatic conditions.
Empowering local farming communities
Community Seed Banks function as decentralized repositories where farmers can collect, preserve and exchange traditional seed varieties. BIS believes that standardized management practices will enhance the reliability and effectiveness of these institutions, benefiting small and marginal farmers and supporting sustainable agricultural ecosystems.
Developed through multi-institutional collaboration
The draft standard was prepared under the convenorship of the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) with contributions from several leading institutions, including the National Biodiversity Authority, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, and the BAIF Development Research Foundation.
Voluntary standard available free of cost
BIS has clarified that IS 20201:2026 is a voluntary certifiable management system standard. The document is available for free download through the official BIS portal, and community seed banks, cooperative societies and agricultural organizations are encouraged to adopt the guidelines to promote a self-reliant and quality-driven ecosystem for indigenous seed conservation.
Established under the BIS Act, 2016, the Bureau of Indian Standards serves as India’s National Standards Body and continues to develop standards that support environmental protection, sustainable resource management and national development goals.
Source: PIB
