Plant Varieties Registry
Context:
• A unique variety of rice bred by a Karnataka based farmer has been recognised for its salient features and qualities by the Plant Varieties Registry, Government of India, which has issued its stamp of approval.
Background:
• To ensure the establishment of an effective system for the protection of plant varieties, farmers’ and plant breeders’ rights, and to encourage the development of new plant varieties, it has been determined that farmers’ rights in respect of their contributions made at any time in conserving, improving, and making available plant genetic resources for the development of new plant varieties must be recognised and protected.
• Furthermore, in order to expedite agricultural development, plant breeders’ rights must be protected in order to encourage investment in research and development for the production of new plant types.
About:
• Such protection is likely to facilitate the growth of the seed industry which will ensure the availability of high-quality seeds and planting material to the farmers.
• India having ratified the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights has to make provision for giving effect to Agreement. To give effect to the aforesaid objectives the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 has been enacted in India.
What rights will the certificate confer?
• When a person receives the certificate under the Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, they get the exclusive rights of producing, selling, distributing, marketing, importing and exporting rights of the certified variety.
• This exclusive right will be valid upto six years and subsequently can be renewed with certain terms and conditions.
Way Forward:
• Sustainable agriculture practices should be adopted considering the water usage of the crops.
• In that context any new variety which is water efficient should be encouraged.
Source: THE HINDU
