September 21, 2022 at 08:50 pm | Updated September 22, 2022 12:39 AM IST – New Delhi:
The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar at the inauguration of the 9th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, in New Delhi on September 19, 2022. Photo Credit: PTI
The issue of farmers’ rights remained at the center of discussion on the second day of the meeting of the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The Union Ministry of Agriculture stated that India stands for building alternatives for the implementation of farmers’ rights and proposed that the Global Information System (GIS) for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture be used for capacity building among the contracting parties. is required.
The Center said an expert group on farmers’ rights was formed in 2017 with efforts made by India and the country led the group as co-chair. “India ensured the group’s discussion even during the pandemic and prepared a set of options and future course of action to implement farmers’ rights in any country,” the release said.
India also pushed for increased revival of the multilateral system since 2019, all formal meetings of the ITPGRFA were suspended. “India held an informal meeting with Switzerland at the UN-Geneva to prepare a document for the ninth meeting of the general body to hold consultations. As a result, a Contact Group under the co-chairmanship of India has been set up to decide the future course of action.
India also called for capacity building for using GIS on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. “India, as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, proposed that there is a need for capacity building among contracting parties for the use of GLIS,” the release said. “India, as a member of the Committee on Conservation and Sustainable Use, proposed joint programs with international and regional organizations/institutions to fulfill this agenda,” the Center said.