The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is set to inaugurate the inaugural 'Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights' (GSFR) on September 12,2023 at the ICAR Convention Centre, National Agricultural Science Centre Complex in New Delhi.
The GSFR, organized by the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, is being hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Authority, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). This landmark symposium will run from September 12 to 15, 2023.
In a curtain-raiser press meeting held today by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer's Welfare (MoAFW) and the PPVFR Authority, Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson of the PPVFR Authority, highlighted India's pioneering role as the first country to include Farmers’ Rights in the context of Plant Variety Registration through the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001.
He emphasized that the symposium aims to recognize and reward the significant contributions made by local and indigenous communities and farmers worldwide towards the conservation and development of plant genetic resources (PGR). Dr. Mohapatra underscored the vital role of plant genetic resources in addressing challenges such as malnutrition, climate change, and enhanced agricultural productivity, emphasizing that food systems globally rely on seeds. Rakesh Ranjan, Special Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), noted that India's proposal to host the first GSFR was put forth during the Ninth Session of the Governing Body (GB9) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in September 2022 and was subsequently approved by the FAO. He stressed the interconnected nature of Farmers' Rights and the importance of achieving a common understanding to develop a roadmap for this crucial issue.
Takayuki Hagewara, FAO Representative in India, commended India for successfully organizing the recent G20 Summit and praised the nation's ability to embrace diversity, which he regarded as vital for stability. He underscored the importance of biodiversity in supporting life and highlighted the significance of the GSFR in the context of farmers and food security.
Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the ITPGRFA, emphasized the centrality of farmers in FAO's work, describing them as intermediaries between seeds and food security. He highlighted Article 9 of the Treaty, which focuses on recognizing, realizing, and promoting Farmers' Rights regarding plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), and the responsibility it places on national governments to safeguard and enhance these rights. He stressed the importance of protecting indigenous knowledge, seed diversity, and the need to celebrate farmers' contributions.
P.K. Singh, Agricultural Commissioner at MoAFW, pointed out the critical role farmers play in providing food security to the world and the inclusion of Farmers' Rights within the PPVFR Act 2001. Dr. P.L. Gautam, Former Chairperson of the PPVFR Authority, offered a historical perspective on the importance of the Treaty over the past three decades, particularly in the context of conserving biodiversity.
Pankaj Yadav, Joint Secretary (Seeds), announced that the newly constructed 'Plant Authority Bhawan,' the office of the PPVFR Authority, and an online plant variety 'Registration Portal' would be inaugurated during the event. The inaugural ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Farmers' Award, honoring 'Plant Genome Saviour Communities' and 'Plant Genome Saviour Farmers of India' for the years 2021 and 2022, as per the provisions of the PPVFR Act, 2001.
