Why in News
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) marked its 22nd Foundation Day and recognised farmers’ conservation of crop genetic diversity through the Plant Genome Saviour Awards.
Prelims Pointers
- The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 protects plant varieties while recognising the rights of breeders, farmers and researchers.
- Protection under this Act is distinct from a patent on an invention.
- Farmers’ rights under Section 39 include the following.
- A farmer may save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell farm produce, including seed of a protected variety.
- This exemption does not permit sale of branded seed of a protected variety.
- The National Gene Fund supports benefit-sharing and recognition of contributions to conserving plant genetic resources.
Prelims Traps
- “Plant varieties can be patented in India.” This is incorrect. Plant varieties are excluded from patentability. Their protection is available under the PPV&FR framework. (UPSC Prelims 2019)
- “Protection of a variety prohibits farmers from saving its seed for resowing.” This is incorrect. Section 39 permits saving and resowing. Sale of branded seed is excluded from the farmers’ exemption.