Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity

Why in News?

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity for a period of one year under Section 13(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to provide expert guidance on the conservation, sustainable use, and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of agricultural biodiversity.

About the Reconstituted Committee

• The Committee has been reconstituted under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• It will advise the NBA on issues related to:
  • Conservation of agricultural biodiversity.
  • Sustainable use of agricultural genetic resources.
  • Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
  • Protection and management of agrobiodiversity.

• Chairperson: Dr. P. L. Gautam
  • Renowned agricultural scientist.
  • Former Chairperson of the NBA and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority.
  • Recently awarded the Padma Shri for contributions to agricultural science.
• Co-Chair: Chairperson of the PPVFRA.

About the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity

• Established as an advisory body of the NBA in 2005.
• Reconstituted periodically to address emerging challenges concerning:
  • Agricultural genetic resources.
  • Crop diversity conservation.
  • Farmers’ traditional knowledge.
  • Biodiversity governance in agriculture.
• Significance of Agrobiodiversity: Agrobiodiversity refers to the variety and variability of plants, animals, microorganisms, and genetic resources used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture.

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

• A key principle of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Ensures that benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge are shared fairly and equitably with local communities and knowledge holders.

Link with National Biodiversity Targets

The Committee will support the implementation of India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), particularly:

• Target 4: Conservation and sustainable management of genetic diversity of cultivated plants, domesticated animals, and their wild relatives.
• Target 13: Ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

Source: PIB