Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan presents ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards’ to farmers in New Delhi

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan presents ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards’ to farmers in New Delhi

Analysis:

1. Event Overview: The ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards Ceremony’ was held at C. Subramaniam Hall, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001, and the 21st Foundation Day of the Authority. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated farmers and organizations for their contribution to seed conservation and biodiversity.
2. Awardees: Recognized entities included Community Seed Bank of Telangana, Shiksha Niketan (West Bengal), Mithilanchal Makhana Producers’ Association, CRS-Na Dihing Tenga Unyan Committee (Assam), and individual farmers from Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Bihar.
3. Significance of PPV&FRA Act: The Act has been vital in conserving disappearing seed varieties, promoting biodiversity, and safeguarding farmers’ rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share, and sell farm-saved seeds.
4. Policy Emphasis: Shri Chouhan stressed the importance of balancing new high-yielding varieties with traditional seeds, financial incentives (up to ₹15 lakh) for seed conservation, and proposed amendments to incorporate suggestions from stakeholders.
5. Awareness and Coordination: The Minister highlighted limited awareness among farmers about PPV&FRA benefits and emphasized simplifying registration procedures, enhancing transparency, and creating a robust scientific database for indigenous varieties.
6. Role of MoS and ICAR: Ministers of State Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ramnath Thakur underscored natural and organic conservation methods, the medicinal value of traditional crops like ‘mandua’, and the role of PPV&FRA in advancing farmers’ welfare.
7. Strategic Importance: The PPV&FRA has bridged scientific innovation with traditional knowledge, protecting India’s agricultural biodiversity, ensuring seed sovereignty, and promoting sustainable development aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Static Part:

• Event: Plant Genome Saviour Awards Ceremony
• Occasion: Silver Jubilee of PPV&FRA Act and 21st Foundation Day
• Venue: C. Subramaniam Hall, Pusa Campus, New Delhi
• Chief Guest: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Participating Dignitaries: Ministers of State, ICAR Director General, PPV&FRA Chairperson and Registrar-General, senior officials, award-winning farmers
• Key Focus Areas: Seed conservation, biodiversity, indigenous crop varieties, farmers’ rights, financial incentives, policy amendments

Updated: 12 Nov 2025; 6:22 PM |Source:PIB