The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has reconstituted its Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity for a one-year term to provide expert guidance on the conservation, sustainable use, and access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of agricultural biodiversity.

Industry stalwart and Padma Awardee Dr P L Gautam are the Chairman of the reconstituted committee. A former Chairperson of NBA and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Dr Gautam was just recently awarded the Padma Shri for his exceptional services to agricultural science. The Chairperson of PPVFRA will serve as the committee's Co-Chairperson.

The Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity was founded in 2005 and has proven to be one of the most important advisory committees that have assisted in the implementation of the biosafety/agrobiodiversity framework in India. It has provided expert opinions on issues related to agricultural genetic resources, including access and benefit sharing, international seed trade, research cooperation, and traditional plant cultivation.

The committee's guidance has played a key role in balancing biodiversity conservation with agricultural research, innovation, and the sustainable use of biological resources. It has also supported India's participation in international agreements such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The reconstituted committee comprises of renowned experts and academicians along with senior officials from various institutions including the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, national genetic resource bureaus, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, National Innovation Foundation and leading academicians and legal institutions.

The committee will advise the NBA on integrating biodiversity considerations into the agriculture sector in the future, the review of the guidelines for international research cooperation, and recommendations for the preservation of threatened indigenous crop cultivars and livestock breeds. Its work would lead to the India's up to date National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan's goals and facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals on food security, climate change, and conserving biodiversity.