We are pleased to bring to you the fourth post in the ongoing series of insightful posts by Prof. (Dr.) N.S. Gopalakrishnan on India’s problematic plant varieties’ regime. The earlier posts in the series can be viewed here, here and here. Problems with the Indian Plant Varieties Regime (IV): Obliterating the “Farmers’ Variety” (Part I)? Prof. (Dr.) N.S. Gopalakrishnan Introduction It is well documented that informal innovation in plant breeding by traditional farmers is one of the most important components of sustainable agriculture. It involves…

We are pleased to bring to you the third post in an ongoing series of perceptive posts by Prof. (Dr.) N.S. Gopalakrishnan on India’s problematic plant varieties’ regime. The first and second post in the series can be viewed here and here. Problems with the Indian Plant Varieties Regime (III): Setting Arbitrary DUS Standards For Extant Varieties? Prof. (Dr.) N.S. Gopalakrishnan A new plant variety is registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act only if it satisfies the criteria…