Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001

Why in news?

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, participated in the ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards Ceremony’, celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the PPV&FR Act, 2001 in New Delhi.

• PPV&FR Act, 2001 – It protects the rights of both plant breeders and farmers in developing new plant varieties.
• It was introduced following India’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its commitment to the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement.

Key provisions

• Breeder's rights – Breeders gain exclusive rights to produce, sell, and export their protected varieties for a set period. They can also license their rights to others.
• Farmer's rights – The Act recognizes farmers as a crucial part in  developing plant varieties and grants them rights to
  • Register and conserve traditional crop varieties
  • Receive benefits from the use of their conserved genetic resources
• Researcher's rights – Researchers can use registered varieties for experiments and research without permission, though repeated use requires the breeder's consent.
• Registration criteria – A plant variety must be novel, distinct, uniform, and stable to be eligible for registration.
• Benefit sharing – It provides for a system of benefit sharing, where a portion of the earnings from a registered variety is shared with farmers who contributed to its development.
• Duration of protection –
  • Field crops - 15 years
  • Trees & vines - 18 years
• PPV&FR Authority – An Authority is established to administer the PPV&FR Act, 2001 & handle registration, with a Standing Committee to advise on farmers' rights issues.

Quick Fact

References

1. The Hindu | Centre to reform Plant Variety Act
2. Vikaspedia | PPV&FRA Act, 2001
3. PPV&FR Authority | PPV&FRA Act