Plants have many uses, including feed, fibre, medicine and industrial applications. Plant genetic resources were treated as the ‘heritage of mankind’ and were shared freely among nations, till the concerns for conservation of biological diversity were raised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which came into force in 1993.
India became signatory to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPs) in 1994. The Article 27.3 (b) of this agreement requires the member countries to provide for protection of plant varieties either by a patent or by an effective sui generis system or by any combination thereof. The existing Indian Patent Act, 1970 excluded agriculture and horticultural methods of production from patentability.Thus, India opted a sui generis system to establish “an effective system for the protection of plant varieties, the right of farmers and plant breeders, to encourage the development of new varieties of plants” and accordingly Government of India enacted the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
REGISTRATION OF VARIETIES IN WEST BENGAL UNDER PPV&FRA
With the advent of World Trade Organization (WTO) and India becoming a member of it, the indigenous scented rice varieties of West Bengal need to be protected under ‘Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001’ against counterfeit ones including other regions / countries, corporate seed sectors, etc. There are provisions for registration different types of varieties (Essentially derived, Extant, New, Extant variety in common knowledge and Farmers’ variety) of 199 crops in our country. The period of protection is 18 years for trees and vines, and 15 years for other crops.
In West Bengal, the variety registration process was initiated by BCKV in collaboration with State Department of Agriculture, Patent Information Centre, Bio-diversity Board, etc. in 2007, and that was extended by UBKV in last few years. Besides, some individual farmers and a few farmers’ organizations involved in registration of traditional varieties without considering the original name and actual native area, that lead to the personal recognition/reward but not fulfilling the interest of the community and society as a whole.
Farmers’ rice varieties of West Bengal registered under PPV&FRA
| Farmers’ Organization / Farmer | No. of farmers’ rice variety | Rice Variety |
|---|---|---|
|
Farmers’ Organization |
40 |
Rani Kajal, Bahurupi, Kerala Sundari, Dudhsar, Kelas, Asit Kalama, Kanakchur, Shiuli, Gheos, Nagra, Benaphool, Jugal, GobindaBhog, Chamarmani, Danaguri, Nimaisal, Nata, Lal Dhepa, BaidDulah, AushaBonkata, GandhaMalati, Banshpati, Gandheswari, Kankri, Chandrakanta, Srabanti-Sal, BaghJhapta, Marichsaal, Tulaipanji, Madna, Dhulia, Bhutia, Kokhuria, Dudheswar, Mugi, Goyabali, Modra, SadaJhuli, Harinakhuri, and Radhunipagal |
|
Farmer |
167 |
Marichsaal, Fulkhar, Dudherswar, DaharLagra, BombaiMugi, Nona Bogra, Gokul Sal, DudhKalam, Gheush, Nagrasal, Sindurmukhi, Valki, AsanLaya, Agniban-B1, Kataribhog, Kaksal, Chotodidi, Bahurupia- Ran, Patnai-23, Kasiphul, ByamaJhupi, Jaladhi, Tal Mugur Dhan-1, Rupsal, Kalo Jira-81, Bhadoi, Kartik Sal, Bhramarmali, Malsira, Panati, NarkelJhopa, Vutmuri, Jhulur, Langal Mura, Danga-Patnai, Jamaynadu, Nugem (Baro), Kabi Raj, Jal-Dhepa, Baskamini, Dharansal, Suakalma, Like-Kakua, China Kamini, Badsha-B, KaloNuniya, Kathali Chapa, Jhilik, Mukta, Moti-1, Kalodhopa, Bhurisal, Medi-WB, Nabanna, Ayan, LangalMuthi, Nikunja, Kalo Bhat, Ashish, Badswarna-II, Sundari, Sitapi, Nirjhara, Neta, Keshabsal, Bhura, Silate, Khandagiri-I, Muchishal, Ash Phol, Oda Shal, Kamini, Dulpi, ChiniKamini, Kala Bhat, Kalamkhari-2, RadhaTilak, Murkimala, Bhuri, Sonagori, Lal Tipa, KaloByar, FulPagri, Radhatilak-Ran, Cengarangi, Nona Askul, Kantarangi, Dadsal, Lal Badshabhog- Ran, Tulsi Mukul-B1, Netasal, Eco, Pan Borat, Hogla, Olicent, Chandrakanti B1, Barsha, Kelesh-1981, Arka, Malabati-Ran, Geetajanjali, Kakua, Sitasal, Janakisal, Ramshal, SadaPatnai, Durga, KaloPatnai, DeshiPatnai, SabitaPatnai, Nico-Special, Pakhi, Super Shyamali, Marisal, Rani Akand, Rajbhog, Kohinur, Kalomota, Khejurchari, Motormala, Palui, Gangajali, Argirban, Hamai, Ghitas, GovireSoru, NangalHanra, SadaMota, Polbari, Bhasakalma, BarshaLaxmi, Moule, Uri Banyo, KaloKumro, Birahi, Olkochuri, Morichmuth, Marchal, Salma, Bhadui, Jharna, Borni, Satia, Agurpak, Kalamkati-Ran, Danagurguri, Morisali, TulsiBhog-Ban, Chamarmoni, Kerala Sundari, Ahimarn, Bochi, Biroi, DudhKalam 1, KhaiyamDhan, Mangamuthi, Bitti, Dhusuri, Barati, Kalodhepa, Khyama, Kauka, Jaldepa 3 and Harinkajali |
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BCKV IN PPV&FRA RELATED WORK
Variety Registration under PPV&FRA and Role of BCKV
AICRP on Jute and Allied Fibresof BCKV developed three white jute (Corchoruscapsularis) varieties and one tossa jute (Corchorusolitorius) in collaboration with ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), Barrackpore, and completed the process of variety registration under PPV&FRA, New Delhi. Besides, the RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ of BCKV took initiatives and extended technical guidance to different farmers’ organizations of the native areas for registration of traditional scented rice varieties of West Bengal under PPV&FRA, Government of India.
List of varieties registered with technical support of BCKV under PPV&FRA
|
Variety |
Crop |
Organization / Institute |
Collaborator / Facilitator |
Present Status |
|
Farmers’ variety |
||||
|
Gobindabhog |
Rice |
Shyamsundar Sister Nivedita Sangha, PurbaBurdwan |
Dept. of GPB and Dept. of Agronomy |
Registered (No. 233 of 2014, dated 12.06.2014) |
|
Radhatilak |
Rice |
KadampurKrishi Farmers’ Club, Fulia, Santipur, Nadia |
Dept. of Agronomy and RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ |
DUS Testing (REG/2014/6) |
|
Lal Badshabhog |
Rice |
DalpurSreeSreeGyananandaSaraswati Ashram, Dalpur, Bankura |
Dept. of Agronomy and RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ |
Registered (REG/2015/358, dated 12.08.2021) |
|
Harinakhuri |
Rice |
SagarKrishnanagar Swami Vivekananda Youth Cultural Association, Sagar, South 24 Parganas |
Dept. of Agronomy and RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ |
Registered (No. 148 of 2020, dated 08.06.2020) |
|
Radhunipagal |
Rice |
Dr.Md.Kudrat-E-KhudaGraminVigyan-O-ProjuktiBikash Kendra, Margram, Birbhum |
Dept. of Agronomy and RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ |
Registered (REG/2016/1677, dated 11.05.2022) |
|
Kalojira |
Rice |
SikshaNiketan, Kalanabagram, PurbaBardhaman |
Dept. of Agronomy and RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ |
Acknowledgment (REG/2023/0172, dated 26.12.2023) |
|
Extant variety |
||||
|
Bidhan Pat 1 |
Jute (White) |
ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpur, North 24 Parganas |
AINP on Jute and allied Fibres, BCKV, Nadia |
Registered (REG/73/2011, dated 30.11.2011) |
|
Bidhan Pat 2 |
Jute (White) |
ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpur, North 24 Parganas |
AINP on Jute and allied Fibres, BCKV, Nadia |
Registered (REG/72/2011, dated 30.11.2011) |
|
Bidhan Pat 3 |
Jute (White) |
ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpur, North 24 Parganas |
AINP on Jute and allied Fibres, BCKV, Nadia |
Registered (REG/105/2012, dated 02.08.2012) |
|
Extant variety in common knowledge |
||||
|
Bidhan Rupali |
Jute (Tossa) |
ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpur, North 24 Parganas |
AINP on Jute and allied Fibres, BCKV, Nadia |
Registered (REG/157/2019, dated 06.11.2019) |
DUS Test Centre
The PPV&FR Authority has recognized BCKV for DUS Test Centre for the crops like betelvine, taro, elephant foot yam and pointed gourd.
Award / Recognition
BCKV has extended technical guidance to the following Farmers and Farmers’ Organizations of different districts in South Bengal associated with the RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ and others based on their roles in germplasm conservation of traditional cultivars of various crops along with area expansion of aromatic rice in native areas for various awards and recognitions at national level.
|
Sl. No. |
Farmers’ Organization |
Award |
Facilitator with Unit / Project |
|
Plant Genome Saviour Community Award |
|||
|
1 |
Shyamsundar Sister Nivedita Sangha, PurbaBardhaman |
Plant Genome Savior Community Award (2010-11)[Rs. 10 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Prof. DilipKumar De (PPV&FRA Cell) |
|
2 |
SagarKrishnanagar Swami Vivekananda Youth Cultural Society, South 24 Parganas |
Plant Genome Savior Community Award (2013-14)[Rs. 10 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Prof. Mrityunjay Ghosh (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
|
3 |
DalpurSreeSreeGyananandaSaraswati Ashram, Bankura |
Plant Genome Savior Community Award (2020-21)[Rs. 10 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Prof. Mrityunjay Ghosh (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
|
Plant Genome SaviourFarmer Reward / Recognition |
|||
|
1 |
Ushagram Trust, Birnagar, Nadia |
Plant Genome Savior Farmer Reward (2012)[Rs. 1.0 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Prof. AmitavaBiswas (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
|
2 |
Amit Kumar Bera PurbaMedinipur |
Plant Genome Savior Farmer Reward (2013)[Rs. 1.0 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Mr. SubhrojitDoluai (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
|
3 |
SailenChandi. Santipur, Nadia |
Plant Genome Savior Farmer Recognition (2016-17)[Rs. 1.0 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Dr. Sibajee Banerjee (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
|
4 |
Aloke Kumar Das Balagarh, Hooghly |
Plant Genome Savior Farmer Reward (2017-18)[Rs. 1.5 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Dr. Nikhil Gayen (Hooghly KVK) |
|
5 |
NimaiMondal Hanskhali, Nadia |
Plant Genome Savior Farmer Recognition (2020-21)[Rs. 1.0 lakh, Memento and Certificate] |
Dr. Sibajee Banerjee (RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice) |
PPV&FRA Book
PGSC Award 2010-11 SSNS Burdwan West Bengal
Dalpur PGSC Award