Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part B (2026)

PGR are the foundation of global food and nutritional security, providing the raw material required for crop improvement and adaptation. The term genetic resources comprises landraces, wild relatives, traditional cultivars, and improved varieties that contribute to genetic diversity within agricultural systems. With climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and increase in demand for high-quality food, the importance of PGR is evident. The three key building blocks of sustainable agricultural development are the conservation, characterization, and use of genetic resources for the development of resilient, productive, and climate-smart crop varieties. PGR provide a basis for breeders to incorporate such traits as drought tolerance, disease resistance, nutritional enhancement, and stress adaptation. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, including gene banks, field repositories, and community seed systems, play a vital role in safeguarding this diversity for future generations. Generally, management, documentation, and policy support should be further strengthened to ensure long-term availability and use. Therefore, plant genetic resources will play a crucial role in achieving sustainable agricultural growth, environmental resilience, and global food security.