The center has a mandate of promoting bioresource conservation, research and to augment plant resources for sustainable development in the following areas:

 

•  Germplasm collection of selected plant groups (living collections) for long term conservation and research.

•  Survey, evaluation, propagation and conservation of medicinal, aromatic, oil-yielding and other economic plants including rare/endangered species.

•  Genetic manipulation of plants through cell, tissue and organ culture, somatic embryogenesis, transformation techniques and other biotechnological approaches.
• Studies on production, conversion and utilization of biomass especially of fuel-wood species.

•  Provide necessary expertise and assistance in landscaping, garden lay out, green belt development, plant identification and impart training on plant propagation and nursery technologies.

•  Dissemination of information through publication of scientific and popular articles.

•  Co-operate and collaborate with other national and international institutions to promote the cause of conservation of biological diversity of plants and exchange of seed and plant materials.