PPVFRA 22nd Foundation Day and Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, addressed the 22nd Foundation Day of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony on November 12, 2026. The event marked 25 years of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001, which establishes a distinctive framework balancing plant breeders' rights with recognition of farmers as conservers, cultivators, and developers of plant varieties.
Dr. Mishra emphasized that India's rich agricultural biodiversity includes 22 agro-biodiversity hotspots, with Koraput in Odisha being recognized by FAO in 2012 as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. He highlighted that nearly half of the varieties registered under PPVFRA are farmers' varieties, demonstrating their crucial role as custodians and innovators of India's agricultural biodiversity.
India's scientific capabilities were underscored with the National Genebank at ICAR-NBPGR being the world's second largest genebank, and approximately 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties having been developed under the National Agricultural Research System. Dr. Mishra called for linking farmers' traditional knowledge with scientific research, seed systems, and market opportunities, particularly through strengthening community seed banks and field gene banks.
The address emphasized the importance of benefit-sharing provisions and the National Gene Fund in ensuring fair returns to communities conserving genetic resources. Dr. Mishra noted that Geographical Indications hold potential for creating economic opportunities for distinctive agricultural products, and mentioned India's engagement with international efforts including the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the 2022 Governing Body session in New Delhi, and the 2023 Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights.
A key theme was the need to shift from recognition to empowerment by connecting traditional knowledge with modern research, linking farmers' varieties with quality seed systems and Farmer Producer Organizations, and ensuring fair and transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms. Dr. Mishra concluded that safeguarding agricultural diversity is a shared responsibility of farmers, scientists, universities, industry, the State, and society.