National Biodiversity Authority disburses ₹5.68 crore in benefit-sharing funds
On 30 August 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority said it had disbursed ₹5.68 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism, mainly linked to okra, cucumber and watermelon resources.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) said on 30 August 2026 that it had disbursed ₹5.68 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism arising from the use of biological resources. The funds went to State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils and a national research institution, mainly for okra, cucumber and watermelon. The largest component, ₹3.51 crore, relates to okra (139 varieties and 28 hybrids) and was released to 32 State Boards and UT Councils; that amount came from Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd. Other components involved watermelon and cucumber accessed by Nunhems India, East West Seeds India and Bayer Science and Innovation.
Key facts
- Body
- National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- Amount
- ₹5.68 crore under ABS
- Largest share
- Okra – ₹3.51 crore to 32 SBBs/UTBCs
- Resources
- Okra, cucumber, watermelon; microbial and agricultural resources
- Companies
- Nunhems India, East West Seeds India, Bayer Science and Innovation
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The largest component of the ₹5.68 crore Access and Benefit-Sharing funds disbursed by the NBA in August 2026 related to which crop?
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Correct answer: A — Okra
Okra (139 varieties, 28 hybrids) accounted for ₹3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs/UTBCs.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement: 1. The ABS amount for okra was received from Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd. 2. The funds were channelled to State Biodiversity Boards, UT Biodiversity Councils and a national research institution. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the okra ABS amount came from Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd. Statement 2 is correct.