During the second day of the workshop, presentations were made by local farmer breeders with regard to varieties that they had cultivated. Seed exchange by seed savers was led by Dr Narayana Reddy, Organic Farmer, Doddaballapur. Discussions followed, with questions being asked about the farmers’ varieties, which were raised by other farmers and plant breeders, as well as the official participants in the workshop.
Presentations were also made by Mr Kumarswamy, Environmentalist, Shimoga and Dr Narayan Reddy, Doddaballapur. The farmers were also recognized individually for their efforts in propagating native farmers’ varieties based on selection by the jury.
The proceedings of the two day Consultation were concluded with recommendations of the jury which came up with a number of actions which they felt relevant to take this debate forward. In brief, these included the following:
1.
The PVPFRA should consider the possibility to take up the task of registration of farmers’ varieties by creating a committee for the 22 agro-biodiversity hot spots.
• The committee should consist of one farmer, a Panchayat member, one NGO and a plant breeder representative.
• This is to protect farmers’ rights, gather information and take up the task of registration instead of leaving it entirely to the farmers.
2. The equity from benefit sharing should go to the farmer as well as the community, keeping in view the market potential and benefits expected. Review of assessment of benefits should be conducted at regular intervals.
3.
Farmers should be excluded from the Seeds Bill.
4.
Farmers should be given all assistance to conserve and propagate their varieties. |
