President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the four-day global seminar on farmers’ rights in Pusa, New Delhi on 12th September. Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar presided over the function. On this occasion, 26 Plant Genome Patron Awards were given to farmers and organizations in various categories. On this occasion, the President inaugurated the Plant Authority Building and launched the online portal for registration of plant varieties. The President inaugurated the exhibition here and also visited it with the ministers. In the program, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mr. Kailash Chaudhary , Secretary Mr. Manoj Ahuja , Director General of ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak ,Dr. Trilochan Mahapatra, Chairman, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Dr. Kent Nandoji , Secretary, ITPGRFA , Mr. Takayuki, India Representative of FAO , Dr. R.S. , former DG, ICAR. Parodha , diplomats , representatives of treaty contracting countries , farmers , scientists , officials of agriculture related organizations were also present. PPVFRA , ICAR , Indian Agricultural Research Institute and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources are participating in the event .

 

In her address on the occasion of the global seminar organized by International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) , Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , Rome and Union Ministry of Agriculture Mrs. Murmu said that India’s rich agriculture -Biodiversity has been a treasure for the global community. Our farmers have worked hard and enterprisingly to conserve local plant varieties , domesticate wild plants and nurture traditional varieties , which have provided the basis for various crop breeding programmes. This has ensured food and nutritional security for humans and animals. By preserving and nurturing biodiversity, the farming community is not only helping humanity ,Rather, they are saving the entire planet. He said that the crop varieties of a particular region are deeply connected to the society and culture , they also have medicinal properties.

 

Mrs. Murmu expressed happiness that ITPGRFA chose India as the venue for the first global symposium on farmers’ rights , it is appropriate because India is an ancient civilization , where our traditions , culture and agriculture are part of the same fabric. Are. This is the land that has imbibed the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' through the ages. In biodiversity , India is one of the countries blessed with the widest range of plants and species. The efforts of our agro-biodiversity custodians and hardworking farmers , scientists and policy makers, coupled with government support, have played an important role in accelerating several agricultural revolutions in the country. He said that the year 2001The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture , signed in 1979, was one of the most important international agreements between member states for the conservation , use and management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. For the first time it called for guaranteeing food security through the conservation , exchange and sustainable use of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. India played a leading role in introducing the Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR)- 2001 , which is linked to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, for the protection of our farmers.

 

Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Tomar said that agro-biodiversity conservation is not just a duty , but is a vital necessity for the survival of the ecosystem , the Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment towards this objective. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi , India has been committed to the principles agreed under this international treaty ( ITPGRFA) and is doing the best work in the world in implementing it in letter and spirit. This fact is very clearly underlined by the national law enacted by the Indian Parliament as the Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers’ Rights Act- 2001 . Since the enactment of this law ,The Government of India has worked diligently to ensure its compliance with the provisions of the law. He said that one of the features of India’s plant variety protection framework is its focus on farmers’ rights. This Act recognizes the invaluable role of farmers in the conservation and development of plant genetic resources through the continuous efforts of generations of farmers. This Act gives the farmers the right to preserve, use, share and sell the seeds saved in the field. This provision empowers farmers to actively participate in the agricultural value chain while preserving their autonomy while promoting local knowledge and innovation.