National Biodiversity Authority shares ₹15.52 crore benefit from mustard hybrids with 26 states and 3 UTs
The National Biodiversity Authority released ₹15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing proceeds from Pioneer Overseas Corporation's mustard hybrids on 13 August 2026, to be shared among 26 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils by mustard cultivation area.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) proceeds from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, which developed ten commercial mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids using India's biological resources, the Environment Ministry said on 13 August 2026. Because the parental lines came from the open market and no single farmer or community could be identified, the money will go to 26 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils in proportion to mustard cultivation area. The NBA used area data from ICAR–Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur. Rajasthan, with nearly 42% of India's mustard area, gets the largest share, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Key facts
- Amount
- ₹15.52 crore ABS proceeds
- Source
- Pioneer Overseas Corporation; 10 mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids
- Recipients
- 26 State Biodiversity Boards + 3 UT Biodiversity Councils
- Basis
- Area under mustard cultivation (ICAR-IIRMR, Bharatpur data)
- Largest share
- Rajasthan (~42% of mustard area), then UP, MP
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On what basis will the ₹15.52 crore ABS proceeds from mustard hybrids released by the NBA in August 2026 be shared among states?
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Correct answer: B — Area under mustard cultivation in each state
Because no single farmer or community could be identified, the ABS share is calculated on the area under mustard cultivation in each state, using ICAR-IIRMR data.
Which state, with nearly 42% of India's mustard cultivation area, receives the largest share of the NBA's mustard ABS proceeds?
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Correct answer: D — Rajasthan
Rajasthan, which accounts for nearly 42% of India's mustard cultivation, gets the highest share, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's mustard ABS release: 1. The ABS amount came from a company that developed ten commercial Brassica juncea hybrids. 2. The ICAR–Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Pioneer Overseas Corporation developed ten commercial mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids, and ICAR-IIRMR, whose cultivation data was used, is in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.