Agro biodiversity is recognized to be one of the key underpinnings of global food security and its conservation is a key concern. We are working in Jharkhand and Uttaranchal and step in Maharashtra very shortly.

Long and medium term conservation of Agrobiodiversity in Gene / Seed / Grain Bank

Multiplication of traditional varieties to develop viable seed source for farmers and maintenance of seeds of popular varieties.

Characterization of Farmer varieties and their registration with the National Plant Variety Authority, to claim benefits under Farmer Rights

Evaluation of underutilized bioresources that can be used as additional sources of food and nutrition and as a source of income

Collection and characterization of edible wild bioresources like

Field weeds used as leafy greens

Edible plants from the forest

Semi-domesticated / wild foods like yam

Multiplication of underutilized plants especially leafy greens and popularizing them for nutritional enhancement of poor diets.

The village level gene bank has been set up at village Kacchabari in Karra of Ranchi. The other banks are coming up at Ichak in Hazaribagh and one at the Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi.

Gene Campaign has identified valuable rice varieties, which have classified as aromatic, sweet in taste, flood tolerant, resistant to leaf blight disease.