India Flags Major Concerns Over Proposed Plant Treaty Amendments at Peru Meeting
Activists claim that amendments will weaken India's control over seeds and plants.
New Delhi/Lima – As global agricultural delegates gather in Peru from July 7 to 11 to discuss proposed amendments to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (commonly known as the Plant Treaty), India has raised strong objections, warning that the proposed changes may undermine the rights of Indian farmers and erode national seed sovereignty.
The deliberations are taking place under the ‘Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group’ to enhance the Multilateral System (MLS) of the treaty. At the heart of the controversy lies a move to amend Annex I of the treaty — a provision that currently limits the MLS to 64 crops deemed essential for food security.
Under the proposed amendment, “all Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA)” would fall under the MLS, drastically expanding the list and legally obligating signatory countries, including India, to share all plant germplasm under terms dictated by the Governing Body (GB) — not national authorities.
India Sends Expert Representative, Reassures Safeguard of National Interests
India has nominated Dr. Sunil Archak, Principal Scientist at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, to represent the country at the negotiations. Dr. Archak is also serving as the Co-Chairperson of the working group meeting — a strategic move by the Indian side to maintain influence in the discussions.
“He is highly competent to safeguard Indian interests. His visit was approved on July 3, and he has already reached Peru,” said ICAR Director General M.L. Jat, speaking to The Hindu.
The government has clarified that India’s interests would be protected, but critics say that more transparency and consultation are needed before accepting any global commitment that affects domestic agriculture.
Farmer Groups and State Governments Say “No” to the Amendments
Raising a red flag back home, several prominent farmers’ organisations, including the Bharath Beej Swaraj Manch and the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, have formally written to the Union Agriculture Ministry, demanding a halt to the amendment process.
“We are worried that India may be co-opted into the proposals prepared by the Co-Chairs, without national debate or consultation with farmers,” the joint letter warned.
Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad also joined the chorus, urging Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan not to approve the amendment without involving States and stakeholders.
“Expanding the treaty’s scope to all PGRFA will reduce India’s control over its plant genetic resources and affect State Biodiversity Boards. Agriculture is a State subject under our Constitution,” Prasad wrote.
What’s at Stake: Seed Sovereignty and Legal Autonomy
The proposed amendment would require countries like India to share all plant genetic materials — even those with potential future value — under a Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA). Critics argue that this:
- Undermines India’s sovereign rights over plant genetic resources.
- Dilutes the rights of Indian farmers to save, use, exchange and sell their traditional seeds.
- Allows foreign entities to access India’s native germplasm under a global system, potentially for commercial benefit, while bypassing national control.
- Complicates the role of State Biodiversity Boards, which are already struggling with implementation gaps.
“Such a move would strip India of its ability to negotiate on its own terms, which is a direct threat to seed sovereignty,” said K.V. Biju of the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
Experts have noted that the amendment could also raise constitutional challenges, as agriculture and agricultural research fall under the State List (Schedule VII) of the Indian Constitution. Any international treaty that overrides state autonomy in agricultural policy without due consultation could invite legal scrutiny.
Moreover, the Plant Treaty’s own Preamble and Articles 10 and 11 advocate fair and equitable benefit-sharing and national sovereignty over genetic resources — principles that, critics say, the proposed amendment violates.
Scientists Stand With Farmers
Multiple Indian scientists and policy experts have echoed the concerns of the farming community, stating that the Plant Treaty must not become a vehicle for biopiracy or corporate control over seeds.
They argue that the treaty was initially designed to facilitate access to select, food-critical crops — not to hand over unrestricted access to India’s rich and diverse germplasm to multinational players under a blanket agreement.
“This is not about being anti-global. It’s about protecting our biological heritage and farmer rights in a fair multilateral framework,” said a senior agricultural scientist involved in the treaty process.
The Road Ahead: Diplomacy, Debate, and Domestic Dialogue
While India has made its presence felt at the Peru negotiations, farmer groups and state governments insist that domestic consultations must precede any final commitment at the international level.
“The Centre must call for immediate consultations with States and farmer organisations. Without their input, any decision would be unilateral and undemocratic,” Biju added.
The Union Agriculture Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs have yet to issue formal statements responding to the objections.
Key Points to Know
- India opposes proposed amendment to Annex I of the Plant Treaty.
- Farmers and scientists warn it would weaken India’s seed sovereignty.
- Treaty change would legally bind India to share all plant genetic resources.
- Dr. Sunil Archak is representing India and co-chairing the Peru meeting.
- States like Kerala object to the Centre bypassing federal consultations.
- Final decision expected to hinge on India’s diplomatic handling of the negotiations.
