India to host 9th session of SEED Treaty

Source: The post is based on the article “India to host 9th session of SEED Treaty” published in Hindu Business Line on 15th September 2022.

What is the News?

India is going to host the 9th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture(ITPGRFA).

What is the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)?

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) also known as the Seed treaty was adopted by the 31st session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in November 2001.

The Treaty aims at 1) recognising the enormous contribution of farmers to the diversity of crops that feed the world, 2) establishing a global system to provide farmers, plant breeders and scientists with access to plant genetic materials, and 3) ensuring that recipients share benefits they derive from the use of these genetic materials with the countries where they have been originated.

The treaty came into force in 2004 and has been ratified by 149 countries including India.

What is the expected outcome of the summit?

The countries are likely to reach a consensus on benefit-sharing of germ plasm which will provide access to better quality seeds.

Note: Germplasm is the term used to describe the seeds, plants, or plant parts useful in crop breeding, research, and conservation efforts. Plants, seeds, or cultures of germplasm when maintained for the purposes of studying, managing, or using the genetic information they possess.