The Effects of Plant Breeders’ Rights on Wheat Productivity and Varietal Improvement in South African Agriculture

Charity Ruramai Nhemachena,Johann F. Kirsten,Binganidzo Muchara

doi:10.3390/su11123378

Charity Ruramai Nhemachena, Johann F. Kirsten + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123378

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Abstract

The strengthening of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) for plant varieties provide incentives for breeding companies to invest more resources in plant breeding. The main objective of this paper was to analyze the effects of strengthening the wheat variety intellectual protection on wheat productivity and the release of new varieties. The strength of IPR systems was measured using an intellectual property (IP) protection index, and plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) granted for wheat varieties. The empirical analyses were based on correlation and multiple regression analyses. The results showed that strengthening IPR systems in South Africa contribute to improving wheat productivity and increasing the number of wheat varieties released. Furthermore, although the robust coefficients of the other IPR variables are positive, they are statistically insignificant for all scenarios. There is a need for more incentives beyond granting PBRs and strengthening of IPR systems to be provided in the whole wheat sector to stimulate increased investments and the release of new varieties.

Highlights

The global demand for food increases with the growing world population, projected to be 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100 [1]
The analysis of shares of wheat seed market were based on the shares of varieties in the national crop obtained from the South African Grains Laboratory (SAGL) and former Wheat Board reports [32]
The paper analyzed the effects of strengthening wheat variety intellectual protection on wheat productivity and the release of new varieties

Summary

Introduction

The global demand for food increases with the growing world population, projected to be 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100 [1]. Limited opportunities for opening new agricultural land means that increasing productivity from existing cropping systems and promoting sustainable production remains an important alternative to meet the rising demand for food and fiber [2,3,4]. For main food crops such as wheat, remains important for increasing agricultural productivity and addressing food security concerns, as well as meeting the growing world food demand. The developments and changes in intellectual property rights (IPRs) systems for agricultural innovations (such as varietal improvements) are one of the institutional factors expected to impact on the productivity of agricultural systems (other factors that affect agricultural productivity include capital, land, labor, environmental and climatic factors and technological capabilities) [5]. Stronger IPRs are expected to stimulate technology development and transfer and generate effective utilization of genetic resources that would contribute to enhancing agricultural productivity and economic benefits [5]

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