NBA releases about Rs 1.04 crore in ABS benefits to 27 state boards and 2 UT councils
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) on 24 October 2026 distributed about Rs 1.04 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds among 27 State Biodiversity Boards and two Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. The money goes to state-level biodiversity work, not directly to farmers.
What this means for you
This money does not go into any farmer's or citizen's bank account. It goes to state biodiversity boards and UT councils, which will use it for conservation, documentation, research and capacity building. Ordinary readers do not need to apply for anything.
Key facts
- Total amount distributed: Rs 1,03,63,188 (about Rs 1.04 crore)
- Uttar Pradesh got the largest share at Rs 10,35,790
- Madhya Pradesh got Rs 9,81,132 and Bihar Rs 7,95,968
- The money came from benefit-sharing contributions of three companies
- NBA has so far released more than Rs 204 crore as ABS benefits
- The agriculture sector has raised about Rs 87 crore in ABS contributions
What happened
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has distributed about Rs 1.04 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds among 27 State Biodiversity Boards and two Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. According to the notice, the total amount distributed is Rs 1,03,63,188.
The money comes from benefit-sharing contributions made by Crystal Crop Protection Ltd, Savana Seeds Private Ltd and Nunhems India Private Ltd. These companies paid the contribution in return for access to agricultural biological resources for research and commercial use.
Which crops are involved
According to the notice, the contributions relate to the use of pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), maize, rice and bottle gourd. These crops are described as an important part of India’s agricultural biodiversity, supporting food security, farm livelihoods and innovation in agriculture.
How the money was divided
The NBA used an area-based approach for distribution. The notice says biological resources were earlier obtained through markets, traders or middlemen, so individual beneficiaries could not be easily identified. A distribution system recommended by an expert committee and approved by the Authority was therefore adopted.
Allocations were fixed in proportion to the estimated agricultural area of the relevant biological resources, based on official farm statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its integrated agriculture statistics portal.
State-wise share
As per the table in the notice, Uttar Pradesh received Rs 10,35,790, Maharashtra Rs 10,05,218, Madhya Pradesh Rs 9,81,132 and Bihar Rs 7,95,968. West Bengal got Rs 7,91,609, Karnataka Rs 7,34,400, Telangana Rs 5,76,934, Chhattisgarh Rs 5,20,524, Odisha Rs 4,99,655 and Rajasthan Rs 4,87,874. The remaining states together were allocated Rs 29,34,084.
What the money will be used for
The notice says the funds will be used under the applicable provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This covers biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, documentation, research, capacity building and strengthening local biodiversity operations.
The wider picture
The notice says the agriculture sector has raised about Rs 87 crore in ABS contributions. The NBA has so far released more than Rs 204 crore as ABS benefits. India’s ABS framework is governed by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 and the Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025. Section 21 of the Act provides for determining fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources.
According to the notice, India will present its ABS experience at a CBD COP 17 event in Yerevan, Armenia, on 28 October 2026.
Questions and answers
What does ABS stand for?
ABS means Access and Benefit Sharing. It is the principle that benefits from the use of biological resources should be shared fairly.
Who received this money?
The money went to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and two Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. It was not given directly to farmers or the public.
How much did Uttar Pradesh get?
Uttar Pradesh received Rs 10,35,790, the highest in the list. Maharashtra got Rs 10,05,218 and Madhya Pradesh Rs 9,81,132.
What will the money be used for?
Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, it will be used for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, documentation, research, capacity building and strengthening local biodiversity work.
Can an ordinary farmer apply for this?
No, the notice does not mention any application by individual farmers. The amount was allocated to state boards and UT councils.
Glossary
- LOC (List of Candidates)
- The official list of students who will sit a board exam, sent by the school to the board.
Source: PIB, "कृषि जैविक संसाधन ने पूरे भारत में जैव विविधता पहल के लिए एबीएस लाभ के रूप में लगभग 1.04 करोड़ रुपये जुटाए हैं", 24 October 2026. Read the original notice
This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing. Report an error