New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) proceeds linked to ten commercial mustard hybrid varieties developed using Indian biological resources.

The amount, received from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, will be distributed among 26 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and three Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) based on the area under mustard cultivation in each State and Union Territory.

The company developed the ten Brassica juncea hybrid varieties in-house, while the parental lines were sourced from the open market and traders. As no specific farmer or community could be identified as the source, the NBA constituted an Expert Committee to det...