National Biodiversity Authority's ABS disbursements cross ₹200 crore
On 5 September 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority said its cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing disbursements have crossed ₹200 crore, with ₹8.23 crore more sanctioned to States and UTs.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) announced on 5 September 2026 that its cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) disbursements have crossed ₹200 crore. The NBA, a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, sanctioned ₹8.23 crore to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils from the use of bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion by seed companies Nunhems India, East West Seeds India and Bayer Science and Innovation. Because the resources were bought in open markets and could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, the share was split by each State's area under cultivation as published by the Agriculture Ministry. Madhya Pradesh (about ₹1.17 crore) and Maharashtra (about ₹1.01 crore) are the largest recipients; Maharashtra accounts for more than 49% of India's onion area.
Key facts
- Milestone
- Cumulative ABS disbursement > ₹200 crore
- Latest tranche
- ₹8.23 crore to 27 SBBs + 5 UTBCs
- Crops
- Bitter gourd, okra, chilli, onion
- Basis of sharing
- State-wise area under cultivation (MoA&FW data)
- Top recipients
- Madhya Pradesh, then Maharashtra
- Law
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The National Biodiversity Authority's cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing disbursements crossed which mark in September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹200 crore
The NBA said cumulative ABS disbursements have exceeded ₹200 crore.
The ₹8.23 crore ABS tranche sanctioned by the NBA in September 2026 arose from the use of which crop group?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion
The proceeds came from seed companies' access to bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion.
Since the biological resources could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, on what basis did the NBA distribute the September 2026 ABS proceeds among States and UTs?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Area under cultivation of the crops in each State/UT
As recommended by an Expert Committee, the share was distributed according to area under cultivation published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's September 2026 ABS tranche: 1. It was sanctioned to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. 2. Maharashtra is the largest cumulative recipient across the four crops. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Madhya Pradesh is the largest recipient, followed by Maharashtra.