The first Farmers Global Seminar was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the International Treaty Secretariat in Rome from 12-15 September 2023 in India.
Objective of Farmers Global Seminar
- To promote the implementation of treaties related to farmers’ rights.
- To promote discussion on innovative strategies, policies, best practices and exchange of knowledge.
- It also aims to champion farmers as important custodians of agricultural biodiversity and pillars of global food security.
- This seminar highlighted that India’s law to protect plant varieties and farmers’ rights in the context of the challenges of climate change is being emulated across the world.
- At this symposium, India played a leading role in introducing the Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR), which is linked to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) for the protection of farmers.
Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR), 2001
- The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR) provides several rights to Indian farmers including the right to use, reuse, save, share and sell non-branded seeds of registered variety.
- Under this Act, Indian farmers can register their own varieties. The Act emphasizes the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of global plant genetic resources for agriculture.
Benefits of PPVFR Act
- The Act enshrines a commitment to ensure food security by taking advantage of the world’s plant genetic resources.
Importance of PPVFR
- This Act will play an important role in addressing the threats of climate change and realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
- Coarse grain millet provides important nutrients for both human and animal consumption.
- The year 2023 has been declared as the Year of Millet by the United Nations.
- Shri Anna Yojana, 2023 has been started by the Central Government to promote coarse grains (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Sawna, Kangni, China, Kodo, Kutki and buckwheat etc.).