International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is a crucial international agreement that plays a key role in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources (PGR) for food and agriculture. Adopted in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it is designed to secure global food security, promote agriculture diversity, and support sustainable agricultural practices.

Key Features of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:

Purpose:

1. Recognizing Farmers’ Contributions:

   • The Treaty recognizes the enormous contribution that farmers have made in developing the diversity of crops that feed the world today. Farmers have been crucial in saving, improving, and disseminating plant genetic resources (PGR) over generations.

2. Global System for Access:

   • It aims to establish a global system that provides farmers, plant breeders, and scientists with easy access to plant genetic materials. This access is important for developing new crop varieties that are higher-yielding, resilient to climate change, and pest-resistant.

3. Benefit-sharing Mechanism:

   • The Treaty ensures that when plant genetic materials are shared and used, the benefits derived from their use, such as profits from new crop varieties, are shared equitably. This promotes fair access and ensures mutual benefits for both developed and developing countries.

4. Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing (MLS):

   • The treaty operates through a Multilateral System (MLS), allowing countries to share genetic material and research across borders while also ensuring that benefits from the use of this genetic material are shared.

5. Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF):

   • The BSF supports agricultural development initiatives, particularly in developing countries. It funds projects aimed at conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources to improve food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and adapt to climate change.

Importance of the Treaty:

• The ITPGRFA is critical in safeguarding global food security by ensuring that agricultural diversity is maintained and that future generations of farmers have access to the plant genetic resources needed to combat climate change and pest outbreaks.

• It is particularly important for developing countries, which often face challenges such as climate-induced crop failures and reduced agricultural productivity, and rely heavily on plant genetic diversity to adapt.

Proposed Amendments to Annex I of the Treaty:

Concerns have emerged in India and other countries regarding the proposed amendments to Annex I of the Treaty. Annex I includes the list of crop species that are included in the Multilateral System (MLS). This annex determines which crops are eligible for access to the shared plant genetic resources system.

The concerns raised about the amendment of Annex I revolve around the following points:

1. Limiting Access to Critical Crops:

• Scientists, policymakers, and activists have raised concerns that amending Annex I might limit access to important plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, particularly for developing countries that heavily rely on these resources for food security and agricultural development.

2. Impact on Developing Countries:

• The Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF) primarily supports developing nations in conserving and using plant genetic resources. If the amendment restricts access to critical crops, it could reduce the availability of genetic material for the development of new varieties of essential crops, thereby negatively impacting food security in these regions.

3. Potential for Increased Control by Corporations:

• Some activists argue that the amendment could benefit multinational corporations that might exert greater control over genetic resources. This could lead to privatization of plant genetic materials that were previously shared globally for the collective benefit of all.

4. Implications for Farmers' Rights:

• The amendment could also undermine the rights of farmers in certain regions, particularly in India, where farmers are highly dependent on traditional crop varieties and their genetic diversity. This could result in the loss of local varieties and traditional knowledge associated with them.

5. Environmental and Biodiversity Risks:

• Limiting access to genetic resources could reduce the ability of farmers and scientists to adapt crops to climate change or address new pest and disease threats. The genetic pool would become narrower, making crops more vulnerable to diseases and climate extremes.

Responses from India and Other Countries:

• India has expressed strong concerns about the proposed amendments, emphasizing that plant genetic resources are vital for the food security and livelihoods of millions of farmers, particularly in rural areas.

• India’s scientists and activists have highlighted that crop diversity and access to genetic resources are essential for improving agriculture, ensuring food security, and adapting to climate change. Any changes that restrict these resources could have long-term negative consequences.

• The Indian government and various civil society organizations have called for a more inclusive approach that ensures fair and equitable access to these resources while protecting the rights of farmers and local communities.

Conclusion:

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is a critical framework for ensuring global food security and the sustainability of agriculture. However, the proposed amendments to Annex I raise serious concerns about the impact on developing countries, small-scale farmers, and the overall genetic diversity needed for agriculture to cope with future challenges such as climate change and pests.