Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, providing livelihoods for nearly two-thirds of the population and ensuring national food security. However, the country faces enormous challenges, including population growth, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and dependency on a few high-yielding crop varieties. In this context, germplasm conservation has emerged as a vital strategy to safeguard the country’s agricultural biodiversity and strengthen resilience for future generations.
What is Germplasm Conservation?
Germplasm refers to the hereditary material (seeds, tissues, cells, or DNA) that determines the genetic makeup of plants. Conserving germplasm means preserving this genetic material in a systematic way, either through ex situ methods (outside the natural habitat, e.g., seed banks, field gene banks, cryopreservation) or in situ methods (within natural ecosystems or on-farm). By maintaining diverse genetic resources, germplasm conservation provides the foundation for crop improvement, food security, and adaptation to environmental stresses.
Importance of Germplasm Conservation in Bangladesh
1. Preserving Agricultural Biodiversity
Bangladesh is rich in crop diversity, including rice, jute, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables. Unfortunately, traditional and indigenous varieties are disappearing due to the spread of modern hybrid seeds, urbanization, and monoculture practices. Germplasm conservation ensures that these valuable local genetic resources are not lost forever. For instance, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) have conserved thousands of rice and vegetable varieties to protect this genetic heritage.
2. Food and Nutrition Security
Traditional crop varieties often contain higher nutritional value compared to commercial hybrids. For example, indigenous rice varieties may be rich in iron, zinc, or antioxidants. By conserving germplasm, Bangladesh can utilize these varieties to breed nutritionally superior crops that fight malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
3. Climate Change Adaptation
Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, frequently facing floods, droughts, cyclones, and salinity intrusion. Indigenous crop varieties, developed and adapted over centuries, often carry genetic traits for tolerance against these stresses. Conserved germplasm provides breeders with a genetic “pool” to develop climate-resilient varieties that can withstand extreme conditions. For example, flood-tolerant rice varieties like BRRI dhan51 and BRRI dhan52 were developed using conserved traditional germplasm.
4. Reducing Dependence on Imported Seeds
The growing reliance on imported hybrid seeds puts farmers at economic risk and threatens national seed sovereignty. Germplasm conservation empowers local research institutions and community seed banks to maintain and distribute indigenous seeds. This enhances self-reliance, reduces input costs for farmers, and strengthens local seed systems.
5. Supporting Research and Innovation
Germplasm collections are valuable resources for scientific research, genetic studies, and crop breeding programs. They enable scientists to discover useful traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, or early maturity. Such innovations are crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity in Bangladesh’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
Germplasm Conservation Efforts in Bangladesh
Several national institutions and initiatives are actively involved in germplasm conservation:
Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC), BARI – Maintains a vast collection of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) – Conserves over 8,000 rice accessions, including traditional and wild relatives.
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) – Holds jute germplasm crucial for improving fiber quality and yield.
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) – Engages in research and on-farm conservation projects.
Community Seed Banks (CSBs) – Local farmers preserve, exchange, and regenerate indigenous seeds at the community level.
- Germplasm Traceable Community Seed Bank (GTCSB)
Challenges in Germplasm Conservation
Despite progress, Bangladesh faces several obstacles, including limited funding, lack of modern storage facilities, inadequate awareness among farmers, and threats from natural disasters. Strengthening institutional capacity, integrating modern biotechnological tools, and encouraging farmer participation are essential for overcoming these challenges.
Germplasm conservation is not merely a scientific activity—it is an investment in the future of Bangladesh’s agriculture, food security, and biodiversity. By protecting and utilizing the country’s rich genetic resources, Bangladesh can build a resilient agricultural system that ensures sustainable livelihoods, nutritional well-being, and adaptability to climate change. In a country where agriculture is both heritage and survival, germplasm conservation stands as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
What is Germplasm??
