Scientists request government action for fair farmer agreements on genetic resources

A group of Indian scientists has urged the government to intervene at the upcoming 11th Session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Lima, expressing concerns over proposed changes to benefit-sharing provisions that could undermine India’s sovereign rights to its genetic resources. They argue that the current proposals would allow extensive access to India’s seed collections without fair compensation, threatening the rights of farmers who have preserved this diversity. The scientists demand a shift to a mandatory compensation system linked to the commercial use of these resources, criticizing the existing voluntary system as ineffective. They call for India to take a leadership role in protecting the interests of developing countries and their farming communities.

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