Agricultural Innovation and the Protection of Traditional Rice Varieties: Kerala a Case Study

Michael Blakeney,Kadambot H M Siddique,Rajesh K Raju,Jayasree Krishnankutty

doi:10.3389/fsufs.2019.00116

Michael Blakeney, Kadambot H M Siddique + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00116

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Abstract

In an endeavor to promote agricultural innovation, the Government of India introduced two pieces of legislation: (i) the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, which provide for the registration of traditional crop varieties as farmers’ varieties, and for the sharing of benefits when those varieties are incorporated into new commercial varieties; and (ii) the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999, which provides for the registration of indications to promote the marketing of goods which derive their quality and characteristics from their geographical origin. This article tests the effectiveness of this legislation in promoting agricultural innovation, reporting on a survey of 401 farmers of traditional rice varieties in Kerala, South West India. The study revealed that farmers were either unaware of the legislation, or unaware of its functions. They have not been much involved in the registration of farmers’ varieties and have not made any benefit-sharing claims in relation to the varieties which have been registered. They have tended to confuse the registration of geographical indications with the registration of farmers’ varieties. This suggests, as a first step, the necessity for awareness raising about the purposes of both pieces of legislation with Indian farmers.

Highlights

This article discusses a research project conducted in Kerala to consider the extent to which two pieces of legislation: Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act) and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GIs Act). have encouraged technological innovation by and technology transfer to traditional rice farmers in Kerala
A total of 401 rice farmers were surveyed in Wayanad, Malappuram, and Palakkad, the principal rice producing areas of Kerala to assess their awareness of the legislation and the extent to which they have utilized it in their farming and marketing activities
The fourth section identifies which of the traditional rice varieties in Kerala have been registered as farmers’ varieties under the PPVFR Act The fifth section identifies which of those traditional rice varieties are embraced by registrations under the GIs Act

Summary

Introduction

This article discusses a research project conducted in Kerala to consider the extent to which two pieces of legislation: Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act) and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GIs Act). have encouraged technological innovation by and technology transfer to traditional rice farmers in Kerala. This article discusses a research project conducted in Kerala to consider the extent to which two pieces of legislation: Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act) and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GIs Act). The third section details the principal provisions of the PPVFR Act. The fourth section identifies which of the traditional rice varieties in Kerala have been registered as farmers’ varieties under the PPVFR Act The fifth section identifies which of those traditional rice varieties are embraced by registrations under the GIs Act. The sixth section examines the relationship between rice registered under the PPVFRA and the GIs Act. The seventh section reviews the literature concerning the role of legislation in promoting agricultural innovation.

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