Training cum Awareness Programme on Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights
Venue: M.S. Swaminathan Hall, ICAR RC for NEH Region Date: 30th March 2017
The Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region organized a Training cum Awareness Programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights on the 30th of March 2017. The training cum awareness programme was attended by 150 Farmers of Ri-Bhoi District along with 50 Scientists and Subject Matter Specialists of the institute including the Scientists and staffs of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ri-Bhoi. The main objective to conduct this training cum awareness programme was to disseminate information to the Farmers to protect their varieties and also their various rights against infringement. The inaugural session started with the welcome address by Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi, Head Division of Social Sciences & In-Charge ITMU who immensely stressed on the necessity of understanding Intellectual Property Rights for the protection of a farmer or a breeder’s right. The main objective of the programme was portrayed for creating awareness amongst the Farmers about the rights & remedies granted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act,2001. Dr. A. K. Mishra, in-Charge NBPGR, Umiam, stressed on the fact that the indigenous knowledge of traditional farming should be well preserved by a legal sanction thereby Farmers should not be deprived of their rights over their own unique varieties. Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region delivered a talk on the various roles and hardships faced by the farmers for protection of Indigenous Plant Varieties whereby he cited several examples of varieties viz. Khasi Mandarin, the Lakadang Turmeric, etc and explained the Farmers the need to preserve them before such varieties started being. The Director, spoke intensively on the subject matter of the role played by Intellectual Properties to safeguard rights of the Farmers. The inaugural session concluded by a vote of thanks from Dr. Arnab Sen, Head, Division of Animal Health along with seed distribution to the Farmers. The technical session started with a detailed presentation by Dr. A.K. Mishra, In-Charge NBPGR, Umiam whereby the Act of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ right were explained to the farmers and also the process of registration were deliberated. Further, Dr. A.K. Mishra stressed that ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region along with the branch of ITMU & NBPGR shall effectively help farmers to get their varieties registered so as the benefits granted by the Act shall be meted out to the farmers. Dr. Avinash Pandey, Scientist (Plant Breeding), Division of Crop Production, ICAR RC for NEH Region delivered a presentation on DUS testing and initiated a discussion with the farmers whereby the major criteria of Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability were explained to the farmers being the essential pillar for a right over a variety. The programme then concluded with a visit to the NBPGR station & the Plant Breeding Farm.
