International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

The international management and governance of biological diversity have reached a significant turning point with the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It is a distinctive convention that aims to address both the global demand for food security and common international objectives pertaining to the access and benefit-sharing principles found in the Convention on Biological Diversity.

It symbolizes the commitment of the international community to a new type of international synergy. As a result, this Treaty helps to raise human standards of living, prevent hunger, and protect biological diversity.

Objectives of the ITPGRFA

The main objective of the treaty is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA); besides, it also encourages the fair and equitable distribution of benefits resulting from their use.

Likewise, its major objectives and responsibilities are −

• To identify the vulnerable and valuable and conservation their varieties and other such species for sustainable use in agriculture and food production.

• The fair and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from their use for sustainable agriculture and food security in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Meaning of the Terms used in the ITPGRFA

The definitions given to the following terms below are in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty. These definitions do not apply to the trade in commodities −

• In situ conservation − It refers to the preservation of ecosystems and natural habitats as well as the maintenance and recovery of good health of various species in their native habitats and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated plant species, in the environments where they have evolved their unique characteristics.

• Ex situ conservation − It refers to the preservation of plant genetic resources for use in agriculture and food production outside their natural habitat.

• Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture − It refers to any genetic material with a plant origin that has actual or potential use in agriculture and food production.

• Genetic material − It refers to any plant-derived material, including vegetative and reproductive propagation material, that contains functional hereditary units.

• Variety −It refers to the lowest known rank plant grouping within a single botanical taxon that is determined by the reproducible expression of its distinctive and other genetic traits.

• Ex situ collection − It refers to a collection of agricultural and food-related plant genetic resources that are kept outside of their natural environments.

• Centre of origin − It refers to the region where a plant species, whether domesticated or wild, first developed its unique characteristics.

• Centre of crop diversity − It refers to a geographical area with a high level of genetic diversity among crop species when managed to grow in situ.

Main Provisions of the Treaty

Some of the important provisions of the Treaty are as follows −

• Conservation

• Exploration

• Collection

• Characterization

• Evaluation and

• Documentation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Further, according to Article 5 of the treaty, each Contracting Party shall promote an integrated approach to the exploration, conservation, and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, subject to applicable national law and, as appropriate, in cooperation with other Contracting Parties.

Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources

According to Article 6 of the treaty, the Contracting Parties are required to create and uphold appropriate policy and legal frameworks that support the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

Farmers’ Rights Under ITPGRFA

The ITPGRFA also ensures the farmers’ right, as these rights are mentioned in Article 9 of the Treaty, which also acknowledges the importance of local and indigenous communities and farmers in the conservation and development of plant genetic resources as a foundation for food and agricultural production. National governments are charged with the responsibility of enforcing these rights.

The rights of farmers to an equitable share of the benefits of using PGRFA and their right to take part in national decisions regarding the preservation and sustainable use of PGRFA should all be protected and advanced by individual Contracting Parties.

The Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-Sharing

The Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-Sharing established by the Contracting Parties under Part IV is a major focus of the Treaty. The Multilateral System was developed to make it simpler for people to access the genetic resources of significant food crops and forage species as well as to fairly and equitably distribute the benefits that come from using these resources under multilaterally agreed-upon terms and conditions.

According to Article 12 of the Treaty, the Contracting Parties are committed to taking the necessary legal or other appropriate steps to facilitate access to the Multilateral System for other Contracting Parties as well as for legal and natural persons under their jurisdiction. The terms and conditions that will be used for such facilitated access are also outlined in the Article. Among them is the crucial stipulation that access will only be granted for utilisation and conservation for research, breeding, and training related to food and agriculture.

Supporting Components

The supporting elements for the Treaty are covered in Part V of the Treaty. These are typically activities that are not covered by the institutional framework of the Treaty but are essential in achieving those objectives and the proper implementation of the Treaty. These include promoting global plant genetic resource networks, advancing the effective implementation of the rolling GPA, and developing and improving a global information system on PGRFA that contains regular evaluations of the state of PGRFA globally. The provisions of Article 15 that deal with ex-situ collections are particularly significant.

Financial Provision

Financial provision is one of the most crucial components of the treaty, which is covered in Part VI. Parties are required by Article 18 to implement a funding strategy that will help carry out the activities of the treaty. The strategy aims to improve the financial resources of the Treaty in terms of their availability, transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness. The funding plan will take into account both funds provided by other international mechanisms, funds, and bodies as well as financial gains from the commercialization of plant genetic resources under the Multilateral System.

Conclusion

The treaty recognizes the importance of plant genetic resources for agriculture and food production as well as their critical role in achieving food security and sustainable farming. It establishes a structure for the protection, exchange, and sustainable use of these resources as well as for the fair and just distribution of the benefits resulting from their use. With 146 countries having ratified the treaty, it is clear that these countries are committed to safeguarding and sustainably using plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is ITPGRFA?

Ans. The International Treaty is the primary international agreement among signatory countries to safeguard, utilize, and manage plant genetic resources for food and agriculture globally for the benefit of all people.

Q2. What is the main objective of the ITPGRFA?

Ans. The primary objective of the treaty is to advance the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture as well as the fair and equitable distribution of the benefits that come from their use.

Q3. Is India a signatory to ITPGRFA?

Ans. ITPGRFA is a comprehensive, legally binding agreement that was adopted in November 2001 and currently has 149 Contracting Parties, including India.

Q4. What is the Multilateral System of Access (MLS)?

Ans. The Multilateral System of Access, which was established and is managed by the International Treaty, enables nations to exchange essential plant genetic material with one another. In order to increase food production, and combat plant pests, diseases, and the effects of climate change, another country may need to import genetic material from food plants grown in one country.