“Navigating the Government Connect: Unlock Grants, Subsidies, Policy Alignment & Zero-Cost Growth Opportunities”
Budget 2025-26: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE; DEMAND NO. 1; Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare…
23. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority:..It is a statutory body set up under a legislation enacted in 2001 to fulfill obligations under agreement of World Trade Organization. It provides the establishment of an effective system for Protection of Plant Varieties, the Rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants.
Statutory Mandate:
Established under PPV&FR Act (2001) to:
• Grant 15-18 year IP rights for new plant varieties
• Protect farmers' seed-sharing rights
• Comply with WTO-TRIPS Article 27.3(b)
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Part 1: Key Functions (Startup Relevance)
Function Startup Opportunity
Variety Registration Protect novel hybrids/GMOs (₹50k fee waived for startups)
Breeders’ Rights License patented traits to seed cos (royalty 5-15%)
Farmers’ Rights Document traditional varieties for benefit-sharing
Gene Fund Access ₹500 crore for conservation R&D
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Part 2: Startup Action Plan
1. Fast-Track Variety Registration
Process:
1. Eligibility: Novel/Distinct/Uniform/Stable (NDUS) traits
2. Submission: DUS test reports from ICAR centers
3. Timeline: 24 months → Expedited 12 months for startups
Pro Tip: Register "Extreme Climate Traits" (drought/flood resistance) for priority approval.
2. Benefit-Sharing Models
For Traditional Varieties:
• Document farmer-bred landraces → Earn 1% royalty on commercial use
• Example: 'Joha Rice' (Assam) earns farmers ₹15/kg premium
For Startups:
• Access Gene Fund for wild relative research (e.g., heat-tolerant wheat)
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Part 3: Financial & Legal Toolkit
Aspect Detail
Fees 80% waiver for startups (<5yr old)
Royalties Enforceable via PPV&FR Tribunal
Penalties ₹10 lakh+ for infringement
Case Study:
• Bioseed Research licensed drought-tolerant maize (PPV&FR Reg No. 245) → ₹8 crore/year royalties
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Part 4: Startup Opportunities
1. Agri-IP Consultancies
• Help FPOs register farmer varieties (Avg. fee: ₹25k/variety)
• Demand: 500+ traditional varieties undocumented in NE India
2. Trait Licensing Platforms
• Match breeders with seed companies (Commission: 3-5%)
• Example: Platform for salt-tolerant rice genes
3. DUS Testing Tech
• AI-powered phenotyping to accelerate certification (50% cost reduction)
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Part 5: Compliance Checklist
1. NDUS Proof: 2-season trial data required
2. Farmers’ Exemption: Always allow seed saving
3. Labeling: PVP tag mandatory on commercial seeds
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Pro Tip: Combine PPV&FR + Patent protection for transgenic traits (e.g., Bt cotton).
