The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed ₹8.22 crore in access and benefit-sharing (ABS) funds received from international seed company Pioneer Overseas Corporation for using Indian rice varieties (Oryza sativa) to develop and commercialize hybrids. This represents one of the largest single ABS disbursements for rice in India.
Of the total amount, ₹2.47 crore was allocated to research institutions that conserved and shared the rice varieties. ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad received the largest institutional share of ₹2.43 crore, while Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand received ₹3.26 lakh for its specific rice variety contribution.
A substantial portion of ₹5.75 crore was distributed to 33 State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils based on the rice-growing area of each jurisdiction as per the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Uttar Pradesh received the highest allocation of ₹73,26,225, followed by West Bengal (₹64,94,795), Telangana (₹50,59,674), Odisha (₹48,09,040), Chhattisgarh (₹45,90,940), Punjab (₹37,14,926), Bihar (₹36,93,237), Madhya Pradesh (₹36,16,118), Assam (₹27,78,664), and Andhra Pradesh (₹25,88,278). Even states with smaller rice-growing areas like Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands received proportionate allocations.
The research institutions will utilize the funds to strengthen germplasm conservation, maintain seed collections, and support research and training activities. The State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils will deploy their allocations for approved conservation activities including protection of native crop diversity, ecosystem restoration, documentation of traditional knowledge, and support for local farmers and knowledge holders.
This disbursement reflects India's implementation of the Nagoya Protocol's principle of fair and equitable benefit-sharing under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The NBA has collected approximately ₹83 crore in ABS payments from the agriculture and seed sector alone, with total ABS disbursements across all sectors exceeding ₹162 crore. The initiative contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and supports Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).