NBA Releases ₹15.52 Crore from Mustard Genetic Resources

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) proceeds from mustard genetic resources on 13 August 2026 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The funds were collected from M/s Pioneer Overseas Corporation for the development of ten commercial hybrid varieties of mustard, or Brassica juncea.

Access and Benefit Sharing under the Biological Diversity Act

Access and Benefit Sharing is a legal mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for sharing monetary and non-monetary benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. The NBA is the statutory body at the national level for regulating access to biological resources and for approving benefit-sharing arrangements in India.

Mustard Genetic Resources and Commercial Hybrid Varieties

Mustard belongs to the genus Brassica and is an important oilseed crop in India. The ABS proceeds in this case arose from the use of Indian biological resources for developing ten commercial hybrid varieties, and the parental lines were sourced from the open market.

Distribution Mechanism and State Allocation

The NBA approved a distribution mechanism to share the proceeds among 26 State Biodiversity Boards and three Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. An Expert Committee framed the allocation rules because no single community source could be identified for the parental lines, and the distribution was linked to mustard cultivation-area figures provided by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Important Facts for Exams

• Rajasthan received ₹6.43 crore, which was the largest share in the distribution.
• Uttar Pradesh received ₹2.28 crore, Madhya Pradesh received ₹1.86 crore, Haryana received ₹1.21 crore, and West Bengal received ₹1.10 crore.
• The NBA stated that its cumulative ABS releases reached ₹182.5 crore after this disbursement.
• The NBA also stated that ₹116.22 crore had been distributed within the previous 12 months.

Use of Funds and Institutional Context

The NBA directed State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils to use the funds for biodiversity conservation, updating People’s Biodiversity Registers, and maintaining local heritage sites. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002, provides the statutory framework for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair benefit sharing in India.