Farmers groups oppose private seed regimes, demand revamp of seed laws at Hyderabad meet

Participants at a national workshop on Farmers’ Rights and Collective Bio-Cultural Heritage, held in Hyderabad on July 1-2, have strongly opposed the growing influence of private corporations and international regimes over India’s seed systems. Organized by the Bharat Beej Swaraj Manch (BBSM), the workshop culminated in a joint statement that called for a complete overhaul of the country’s legal and policy framework governing seeds and farmers’ rights.

The statement declared seeds and plants as life forms and part of India’s national bio-cultural heritage, rejecting any form of individual or corporate ownership over them. “Seeds cannot be treated as private property,” the statement asserted, adding that farmers, not corporations, have historically nurtured, conserved, and improved seed varieties through generations.

BBSM sharply criticized international frameworks such as WTO-TRIPS, UPOV, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), claiming these have weakened India’s sui generis stance of rejecting patents on life forms. It flagged concerns over India being pressured into adopting restrictive treaties and trade standards that undermine farmers’ rights in the name of innovation.

Participants also demanded a critical review of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), pointing to several flaws in its implementation. They alleged that individual registrations of community-developed seed varieties and lawsuits against farmers under the Act violate the principle of collective bio-cultural heritage.

Of particular concern was the release of gene-edited rice varieties by the Government of India in May 2025. BBSM called for an immediate withdrawal of these varieties, terming gene editing “a form of genetic engineering” that threatens natural germplasm and community rights over seeds.

Among the key demands raised were:

- A review and revamp of the PPV&FR Act focusing on farmers’ rights.

- Creation of a national register of plant varieties conserved in Indian research institutions.

- Repatriation of seed collections to local communities for in-situ conservation.

- A ban on gene-edited and genetically modified seeds in India.

The group also resolved to intensify campaigns for traditional seed conservation, agroecological practices, and community-led agricultural innovation. It announced plans to continue organizing seed festivals as platforms for education, advocacy, and knowledge exchange.

Signatories to the statement included over 30 well-known seed savers, scientists, and activists such as Jacob Nellithanam, Dr. D. Narasimha Reddy, Anupam Paul, Shalini Bhutani, Dr. GV Ramanjaneyulu, and Bhairav Saini.

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