The Union Agriculture Minister presented the Plant Genome Saviour Awards in New Delhi, marking the Silver Jubilee (25th year) of the PPV&FRA Act.

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA)

• The PPV&FRA is a statutory authority established under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 to safeguard breeders’ innovations and farmers’ traditional seed rights.
• It promotes conservation, innovation, and equitable benefit sharing in India’s agricultural ecosystem.
• Nodal Ministry: The PPV&FRA functions under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, with its headquarters located in New Delhi.
• The primary objectives of the PPV&FRA are to:
  • Grant intellectual property rights to plant breeders for their innovations in developing new plant varieties
  • Recognise and reward farmers and communities who conserve traditional varieties and biodiversity
  • Promote the protection of farmers’ rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share, and sell farm-saved seed of registered varieties
  • Encourage research and innovation in plant breeding and agriculture
  • Maintain the National Register of Plant Varieties (NRPV) and ensure the documentation and conservation of valuable germplasm resources

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Plant Genome Saviour Awards 2024–25 

• Introduction: The Plant Genome Saviour Awards, instituted under the PPV&FRA, recognise farmers, communities, and institutions that protect traditional seed varieties, conserve plant genetic resources, and contribute to on-farm biodiversity preservation.
• Award Categories: The scheme covers multiple categories including individual farmer awards, community awards, and recognitions for institutions engaged in conservation and sustainable use of indigenous seeds.
• Benefits for Awardees: Awardees receive financial support of up to ₹15 lakh, along with national recognition, to strengthen conservation efforts and promote traditional crop diversity.
• Awardees for 2024–25: 
  • Community Seed Bank (Telangana),
  • Shiksha Niketan (West Bengal),
  • Mithilanchal Makhana Producers’ Association, CRS–Na Dihing Tenga Unyan Committee (Assam), and individual farmers 

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