Farmers’ Rights Act: 25 Years of Plant Variety Protection and Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation

The news

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, today called for recognising farmers as custodians and innovators of India's agricultural biodiversity and linking their traditional knowledge with scientific research, seed systems and market opportunities. Addressing the 22nd Foundation Day of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony, Dr. Mishra noted that the occasion marked 25 years of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.

Dr. Mishra said India's rich agricultural biodiversity was vital for developing crops resilient to climate change, water stress, pests and diseases, while preserving traditional knowledge, food cultures and community livelihoods. He highlighted India's 22 agro-biodiversity hotspots and cited Koraput in Odisha, recognised by FAO in 2012 as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, as an example of community-led conservation. Nearly half of the varieties registered under PPVFRA were farmers' varieties, he said, and emphasised the role of benefit-sharing provisions and the National Gene Fund in ensuring fair returns to communities conserving genetic resources.

Referring to India's scientific capabilities, Dr. Mishra noted that the National Genebank at ICAR-NBPGR was the second largest in the world and that around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties had been developed under the National Agricultural Research System. He also highlighted the potential of Geographical Indications in creating economic opportunities for distinctive agricultural products. Calling for a shift from recognition to empowerment, Dr. Mishra emphasised strengthening community seed banks and field gene banks, connecting traditional knowledge with modern scientific research, and linking farmers' varieties with quality seed systems, Farmer Producer Organisations and wider markets. He observed: “An award honours a farmer once; a seed chain, a market and a fair share of benefits sustain the farmer every season.”

What does the Act recognise?

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 provides a framework that balances plant breeders' rights with recognition of farmers as conservers, cultivators and developers of plant varieties. Farmers are not merely cultivators: their conservation and development of varieties preserve agricultural biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The Authority’s 22nd Foundation Day coincided with 25 years of the Act.

What has been achieved and what remains?

Nearly half of the varieties registered with PPVFRA are farmers' varieties, demonstrating the importance of community contributions. India’s National Genebank is the world’s second largest, and around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties have been developed. Benefit-sharing and the National Gene Fund offer mechanisms for recognising contributions, while geographical indications can create opportunities for distinctive agricultural products. However, Dr. Mishra called for a shift from recognition to empowerment, emphasising the need to strengthen community seed banks and field gene banks, connect traditional knowledge with modern research, and link farmers' varieties with quality seed systems and wider markets through Farmer Producer Organisations.

What are the international linkages?

India engages with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and hosted its Governing Body session in New Delhi in 2022. The Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights followed in 2023. Dr. Mishra also referred to the Indore Declaration adopted by BRICS Agriculture Ministers and the establishment of a Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems.