Interventions for the Informal Seed Systems and Farmers' Rights - A Welcome in the Commission Meeting

The second day of the Commission meetings was warmly welcomed in the plant genetic resources afternoon plenary session by two interventions from BHUTAN and INDIA in support of recognizing and strengthening informal seed systems and farmer-led breeding in relation to farmers' rights. These interventions were in reference to the Commission's recommendations on the PGR Programme of Work and Global Plan of Action for the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources which vaguely referred to strengthening of seed systems (and seed regulatory frameworks) and plant breeding.


The interventions were very crucial as informal seed systems do not receive the appropriate recognition in seed policies whether it be in the national or international levels when informal seed systems are actually highly significant in the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources by farmers in developing countries. Farmers have always treated all plant genetic resources as raw materials for selection and breeding in their farm activities, and for further development of plant genetic diversity in the farm. This system thus provides a process of conservation and sustainable use of seed materials by farmers which is continuous, progressive, pro-active and dynamic, which should similarly be supported and strengthened.