An Analysis of the Relation Between Plant Variety Protection and Human Rights

The intricate link between the growth of
technology and the defence of basic human dignity is
shown in the relationship between Plant Variety
Protection (PVP) and Human Rights. This essay
examines how human rights concepts like the right to
food, the right to profit from scientific advancements,
and the rights of indigenous peoples interact with
intellectual property rights, specifically as they relate to
the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights
Act, 2001 (PPV&FR Act). The PPV&FR Act protects
farmers' customary rights to conserve, use, trade, and
sell seeds while also providing legal recognition and
incentives to plant breeders. It links innovation with
equality and justice by incorporating mechanisms for
compensation, benefit sharing, and community
incentives. The research emphasises that protecting
plant varieties must improve food security, support
agrobiodiversity, and honour farmers' and indigenous
peoples' contributions to genetic resources. To ensure
that PVP laws are implemented in a way that complies
with human rights, it also examines international
frameworks such the UPOV Convention (1991),
ICESCR, UDHR, UNDRIP, and ILO Convention No.
169. The research concludes that human rights and
intellectual property are intertwined, and any legal or
regulatory framework for plant varieties must strike a
balance between innovation, inclusiveness,
sustainability, and the defence of fundamental human
rights, such as the right to sufficient food and livelihood.