Odisha Secures ₹48 Lakh in Rice Biodiversity Benefit Sharing

Odisha has received Rs 48.09 lakh from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism, recognising its contribution to rice biodiversity.

The payout, made by Pioneer Overseas Corporation for using Indian Oryza sativa varieties in commercial hybrids, is part of a nationwide disbursement of Rs 8.22 crore across institutions and 33 State/UT Biodiversity Boards.

Odisha ranked fourth among recipients, following Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana.

The Odisha State Biodiversity Board plans to utilise the funds to protect native crop diversity, restore ecosystems, document traditional rice cultivation knowledge, and support farmers.

Nationally, the NBA has collected around Rs 83 crore in ABS payments from the agriculture and seed sectors, with total disbursements exceeding Rs 162 crore across industries.

This initiative aligns with India’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and supports Sustainable Development Goals on food security, responsible consumption, and biodiversity conservation.

For Odisha, the payout is not just financial—it underscores the state’s role as a custodian of rice genetic wealth and its importance in sustaining farmer livelihoods.