Plant Variety Protection and Framers Rights and the Biological Diversity Act,2000 A legal framework for Sustainable Development in Agriculture

This paper examines the interplay between India's Plant Variety Protection (PVP) regime, Farmers' Rights, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2000, in advancing sustainable agricultural development. While the PVP Act, 2001, incentivizes plant breeding through intellectual property rights, it raises concerns about farmers' access to seeds and genetic resources. The Biological Diversity Act balances conservation with equitable benefit-sharing, impacting farmers' rights to traditional varieties. Analyzing key provisions and case laws, the study argues that harmonizing PVP, Farmers' Rights, and biodiversity conservation is crucial for sustainable agriculture. Recommendations include strengthening farmers' seed rights, ensuring benefit-sharing, and aligning laws with India's obligations under international treaties like UPOV and CBD