What is Plant Variety Protection?
Plant variety means the breeding of seeds for development of new plant species with better qualities and properties, mainly aimed at agricultural development. Plant variety protection is aimed at protecting the interests of plant breeder. India adopted the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 to fulfil its international obligation as a member of Union of Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Convention. Three types of plant varieties can be registered under this Act, those are- new variety, extant variety and farmers’ variety. The duration of protection is up to 18 years from the date of registration in case of vines and trees, 15 years from the date of notification in case of extant varieties and 15 years from the date of registration for other forms of varieties. This period of protection is not uninterrupted as after the first 9 years for vines and trees and 6 years for other crops, the registrar reviews and renews the protection for the reminder of term after payment of prescribed fees.
Who can apply for registration?
Application for registration can be filed by any person claiming to be the breeder of the variety, any successor or legal heir, assignee of the breeder or any farmer/group or community of farmers claiming to be the breeder. The application can be made jointly or individually, when there is more than one breeder of plant variety.
Where can you file?
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, India is the governing authority for Plant varieties in India. It is established under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through Department of Agriculture, Co-operation & Farmers Welfare.
The following offices are present throughout India to facilitate application filing-
1. Head Office-
NASC Complex, DPS Marg, Opp- Todapur Village,
New Delhi-110 012
Tel: +91-11-25843808
Fax: +91-11-25840478
Email: registrar-ffr-ppvfra@nic.in
2. Ranchi Branch Office-
Sh. Phool Singh Malviya
Computer Centre Building, Near Damodar International Guest House,
Birsa Agriculture University Campus,
Kanke, Ranchi (JH)-834006
Tel: +91-651-2450055
Email: phoolmalviya80@gmail.com
3. Guwahati Branch Office-
Sh. Phool Singh Malviya
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
Assam Agriculture University,
Near Administrative Building,
Khanapara, Guwahati-781022
Tel: +91-0361-236675
Email: dr-guwahati-ppvfra@nic.in
4. Palampur Branch Office-
Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
HP Agriculture University,
Palampur,Distt. Kangra,
Himachal Pradesh-176061
Tel: +91-1894-230805
Email: ppvfra.palampur@gmail.com
5. Pune Branch Office-
Dr. S. B. Gurav
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
Centenary Building,College of Agriculture Campus,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Pune, Maharashtra-411005
Email: drsbgurav@gmail.com
6. Shivamogga Branch Office-
Dr. T.H. Gowda
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
UAHS Shivamogga, Abbalagere post,
Shivamogga, Karnataka-577204
Email: ppvfrasmg@gmail.com