International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty)

Why in news: Ahead of the July 7–11 meeting in Peru to discuss amendments to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), Indian farmers, scientists, and policymakers have raised serious concerns—particularly about changes to Annex I.

Key objections include:

• The amendments could harm Indian farmers' interests.

• They may violate the treaty’s Preamble and Articles 10 and 11.

• The changes threaten India’s seed sovereignty by forcing the country to share plant germplasm under internationally dictated terms, not under India's own Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA).

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty)

Background & Adoption

• Adopted: 3 November 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

• Came into force: 29 June 2004

• Total Parties (as of 2024): 149 countries + the European Union

• India is a signatory and ratified the treaty in 2002.

Objective

To ensure:

1. Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA),

2. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use,

3. In harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),

4. While protecting farmers' rights and promoting food security globally.

Key Components

1. Multilateral System (MLS) of Access and Benefit-Sharing

• Provides facilitated access to plant genetic resources listed in Annex I (64 food crops and forages important for food security).

• Access is granted only for research, breeding, and training related to food and agriculture.

• Users must agree to a Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) ensuring:

  • Shared benefits (like royalties, information, or tech transfer) if commercialized.

  • Restrictions on patenting the resources as such.

2. Farmers’ Rights

Recognizes:

• Protection of traditional knowledge related to plant genetic resources.

• Right to equitably participate in benefit-sharing.

• Right to participate in decision-making on national genetic resource policies.

Note: The treaty does not impose a uniform model for implementation—national governments decide how to realize these rights.

3. Benefit-Sharing Fund (BSF)

• Supports projects in developing countries for sustainable agriculture.

• Funded by voluntary donations and SMTA contributions.

Annex I Crops

Includes 35 food crops and 29 forages, such as:

• Rice

• Wheat

• Maize

• Sorghum

• Millet

• Potato

• Lentils

• Barley

These are globally important for nutrition and food security.

Governance Structure

• Governing Body: Supreme decision-making body. Meets biennially. Composed of all signatories.

• Supported by:

  • Ad Hoc Working Groups

  • Scientific Committees

  • Secretariat (hosted by FAO in Rome)

India’s Position

• Strong proponent of seed sovereignty and farmers’ rights.

• Concerned about:

  • Amendments to Annex I that could compel India to share all genetic resources under global terms (SMTA), not its own legal framework.

  • Potential commercial exploitation of its rich genetic diversity without fair compensation.

• India advocates for prior consultation with farmers and states before accepting treaty amendments.