Government to Start Second National Gene Bank for Crop Conservation

29 Mar 2025 CW Team

The government has announced the establishment of India’s second National Gene Bank to conserve 1 million crop germplasm, ensuring future food and nutritional security. This initiative aligns with the “Investing in Innovations” theme of the Union Budget 2025-26.

India’s first National Gene Bank (NGB) at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, is currently the second-largest gene bank globally, preserving 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species. The genetic resources stored in the NGB are available for public and private sector institutions engaged in crop improvement and genetic resource management.

The second National Gene Bank, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, will further strengthen India's position in global biodiversity conservation. This information was shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

(PIB)

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..