The 8th session of the Governing Body of International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is being held in Rome, Italy from 11th to 16th November 2019. The Governing Body sessions are biennial.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2019
India highlighted the need for conservation of plant genetic resources and the uniqueness of Indian legislation Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act to address the related issues.
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 :
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FR) of India aims to protect the rights of the farmers and breeders. The act ensures to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected, except the brand name, under the act. The PPV&FR Authority has registered about 3631 plant varieties, out of which 1597 (44%) belong to the farmers.
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:
It was adopted by the 31st session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on 3rd November 2001. It aims to guarantee food security through exchange, conservation, and sustainable use of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The first session of the governing body was held in Madrid in June 2006. Since 2006 it has its own Governing Body under the aegis of the FAO.
Food and Agriculture Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization is the largest specialized agency in the United Nations system. It has been fighting world poverty and hunger by working for agricultural development, improved nutrition and food security since its inception in 1945. It now has 174 Member Nations and one Member Organization, the European Community (EC).
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has enjoyed valuable partnership with India since it began operations in 1948. It continues playing a catalytic role in India’s progress in the areas of crops, livestock, fisheries, food security, and management of natural resources.
