New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has successfully secured Rs 2.4 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework in just 45 days, related to the commercial utilization of biological resources, as stated on Friday.

The funds were acquired from 10 applications aimed at conducting research and commercial activities concerning biological resources, submitted by entities in the seed and animal feed/cosmetic industries.

The contributions from benefit-sharing were gathered from the utilization of diverse agricultural biological resources, which include varieties and hybrids of rice, onion, bitter gourd, mustard, cotton, bottle gourd, brinjal, chilli, cucumber, okra, ridge gourd, tomato, and seaweed.

A notable portion of the ABS amount, which totals Rs 2.30 crore, was acquired specifically for the commercial use of mustard and rice hybrids.

According to the ABS mechanism, benefits will be distributed among relevant institutes, local communities, farmers, and Biodiversity Management Committees who contributed the parental lines of seeds.

This framework aids in enhancing livelihoods and promotes the conservation and sustainable usage of biodiversity at the grassroots level, as per the statement.

In recent times, the NBA has implemented streamlined and transparent procedures to bolster compliance and facilitate business operations while ensuring the protection of grassroots community interests.

The seed sector has notably emerged as a major contributor under the ABS framework.

The Authority strongly encourages all stakeholders, including companies from various sectors, to adhere to the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and to actively engage in biodiversity conservation efforts and equitable benefit-sharing.

It is noteworthy that the NBA has already realized Rs 3.42 crore from the seed sector in the current financial year 2025-26.

With this latest transaction, the cumulative ABS amount realized by the NBA has surpassed Rs 266 crore (approximately $29 million).

Out of this, Rs 83 crore has been obtained from the seed sector alone, ranking it as the second-largest contributor after Red Sanders.

The NBA continues to play a crucial role in fulfilling India's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS, significantly contributing to the accomplishment of National Biodiversity Targets and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target-13.

This target highlights the legislative measures for the ABS mechanism.