Dr. P.K. Mishra addresses the 22nd Foundation Day of PPVFRA and Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, today called for recognising farmers as custodians and innovators of India’s agricultural biodiversity and linking their traditional knowledge with scientific research, seed systems and market opportunities. Addressing the 22nd Foundation Day of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony, Dr. Mishra noted that the occasion marked 25 years of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
He said India’s rich agricultural biodiversity was vital for developing crops resilient to climate change, water stress, pests and diseases, while preserving traditional knowledge, food cultures and community livelihoods. He highlighted India’s 22 agro-biodiversity hotspots and cited Koraput in Odisha, recognised by FAO in 2012 as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, as an example of community-led conservation.
Dr. Mishra said farmers must be recognised not merely as participants in India’s agricultural transformation but also as contributors and beneficiaries of it.Emphasising the need for sustained economic returns for farmers conserving traditional varieties, he observed: “An award honours a farmer once; a seed chain, a market and a fair share of benefits sustain the farmer every season.” He said safeguarding agricultural diversity was a shared responsibility of farmers, scientists, universities, industry, the State and society, and congratulated the Authority and all award recipients.(UPDATED ON 12TH NOVEMBER 2026)
