President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said India’s law on the protection of plant varieties and farmers’ rights can be emulated for the entire world, as it gains importance amid the challenges of climate change.
Addressing the first-ever global symposium on farmers’ rights at the Pusa complex in the national capital, the President said India took the lead in bringing the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR) way back in 2001, which is aligned to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to protect farmers.
Under the PPVFR Act, India provides a range of rights to farmers that include use, reuse, save, share and sell the unbranded seeds of a registered variety. Besides, farmers can register their own varieties which get protection, she said.
The President said, “Such an Act can serve as an excellent model worthy of emulation for the entire world.” This also gains importance amid challenges posed by climate change and also to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, she added.
