Introduction - Plant Genome Saviour Community Awards

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) has been established by the Central Government under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001. The Authority grants exclusive rights to the breeders and farmers who have bred, evolved or developed any variety.  The Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority, under the provision of section 45 of PPV&FR Act, 2001 Rule  70 (2) (a) [PPV&FR Rules, 2003] has instituted Plant Genome Savior Community Award. Additionally, as per section 39 (1)(iii) of PPV&FR Act, 2001, the Central Government has notified the PPV&FR (Recognition and Reward from the Gene Fund) Rules, 2012 for rewarding and recognizing farmers.

The Authority confers the "Plant Genome Savior Community Award" annually on the basis of shortlisting and site verification of the applications received from the community of farmers/farming community based organizations who have a long track record for conserving plant agro-biodiversity. Applications are now invited for the award, which is open to all Indian group of farmers, community of farmers, particularly the tribal and rural communities engaged in conservation, improvement and preservation of genetic resources of economic plants and their wild relatives particularly in the areas identified as agro bio-diversity hotspots. There shall be maximum of five awards in a year, consisting of a cash of Rs.Ten lakh each, a citation and a memento.