BIS Launches IS 20201:2026 to Standardize Community Seed Banks and Protect Indigenous Crops

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a landmark voluntary certifiable management system standard, IS 20201:2026, aimed at safeguarding India's rich repository of indigenous crop varieties. Developed in close collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), this standard establishes a robust framework for the operations of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) across the country. CSBs function as decentralized, community-led repositories that conserve local seeds, which are often uniquely adapted to specific microclimates and resistant to local pests and extreme weather events. Despite their ecological importance, many CSBs have historically operated without standardized protocols, leading to issues with seed viability and quality. The newly introduced IS 20201:2026 addresses these gaps by outlining rigorous, end-to-end requirements for the entire lifecycle of CSB operations. This includes scientific protocols for seed collection, documentation, viability testing, storage conditions, and quality assurance.