To improve the lives of farmers and ensure development, stakeholder consultation must be a priority, not simply more intellectual property rights.
India had already made a significant policy shift towards a pro-intellectual property (IP) position in the seed sector two decades ago, when it became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995. Many existing laws were amended, including three amendments to the Patent Act of 1970, which allow for the patenting of seeds produced by non-biological methods such as found in modern biotechnology. Also, new IP laws were made that have an impact on agriculture: the Geographic Indications Act, 1999, and more importantly the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, to bring India’s seed sector in line with the WTO TRIPS’ requirements.
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