Overview
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted its Agrobiodiversity Expert Committee for one year. The committee will guide the conservation, sustainable use and Access and Benefit‑Sharing (ABS) of agricultural genetic resources.
Key Developments
- Chairperson: Padma Shri Dr. P. L. Gautam, former chair of NBA and PPVFRA, appointed as chair.
- The Co‑Chair will be the current Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA).
- The committee includes senior experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), national bureaus of plant, animal and fish genetic resources, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, National Innovation Foundation, NALSAR University of Law and other institutions.
- It will advise on integrating biodiversity into agriculture, seed sector regulations under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and on international collaborative research.
- The committee will support India's commitments under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
Important Facts
- The expert committee has been functional since 2005 and is reconstituted periodically to address emerging issues.
- Its recommendations influence policy on seed export, embryo trade, conventional breeding, and approval formats for collaborative projects under Section 5 of the Biological Diversity Act.
- It aims to balance biodiversity conservation with agricultural research, innovation and sustainable utilisation.
- Implementation will aid achievement of updated NBSAP Targets 4 and 13.
- Through its work, the committee contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land).
UPSC Relevance
Understanding the role of the NBA and its expert committees helps answer questions on biodiversity governance, implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, and India's participation in international treaties such as the ITPGRFA. The link between agrobiodiversity and SDGs is frequently asked in GS 2 and GS 3 papers.
Way Forward
The committee will draft guidelines for seed sector ABS, review protocols for collaborative research, and recommend measures to conserve threatened native crop varieties and livestock breeds. Continuous monitoring and periodic review will ensure alignment with NBSAP targets and SDG commitments. States and research institutions are expected to cooperate closely with the committee to translate policy advice into field‑level actions.