Context: In a global seminar organized by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), President of India underscored the importance of safeguarding farmers’ rights.

Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights'(GSFR)

• The Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights promises to be a significant platform for fostering dialogue, recognizing farmers' contributions, and shaping the future of agriculture and food security on a global scale.

• Organized by: Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.

• Hosted by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Authority, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) among others.

• Aim: To contribute to the understanding of the challenges and opportunities of implementing farmers’ rights by the signatory countries and other stakeholders. 

• Significance: India is hosting its first ‘Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights’.

• Note: India has been the first country in the world to include Farmers’ Rights in the context of Plant Variety Registration through its Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001.

About International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

• Objective: Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

• Enactment Year: 2001

• Key Principles: Conservation, Access and Benefit-Sharing, Farmers’ Rights.

• Coverage: Multilateral system covering 64 vital crop species.

• Implementation: Encourages signatory countries to integrate treaty provisions into national legislation.

• Monitoring: Establishes a system for monitoring treaty implementation and reporting.

• Global Impact: Contributes to preserving agricultural biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and equitable access to genetic resources.

• India’s Role: India actively participates and supports the treaty, providing rights to farmers for unbranded seeds and registering their varieties, serving as a model for the world.