Leh, July 24: A one-day Agrotech IP Conference on “Nurturing Innovation and Intellectual Property in Plant Varieties and Agri-Startups” was organized by CSIR-IIIM in Leh-Ladakh UT on the 6th day of celebrations of the National Intellectual Property Festival.
The conference was held under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) to mark the 75 years of India’s Independence, The six-day National Intellectual Property Festival was earlier inaugurated at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu on July 17, 2023.
The conference was attended by farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, research scholars and students of various institutions along with officials from other government departments.
Dr Padma Gurmet Director, National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) Leh-Ladakh UT while addressing the audience gave an overview of traditional knowledge in the context of IPR. He emphasized geographical indications like raktsey karpo apricot, Ladakh’s woodcarving, etc and further conservation of intellectual property rights of traditional medicine, as Ladakh region is the hub of region-specific vast varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Dr Manju Gerard, Principal Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, delivered a detailed session on the scope of intellectual property rights in creating sustainable agricultural start-ups.
Mr DS Raj Ganesh, Legal Advisior, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, provided awareness on the protection of plant varieties and the Farmers Rights Act, 2001. He gave an in-depth explanation of PPV&FRA Act’s key provisions, rights, and obligations for farmers and plant breeders. He informed about the benefits of using protected varieties from the perspective of crops and medicinal plants grown in Ladakh.
Earlier, Dr Qazi Parvaiz Senior principal scientist of CSIR-IIIM, presented a welcome address and also gave an overview of different agricultural practices in the Ladakh region.
Dr Dhiraj Vyas, Senior Principal Scientist and HOD, Plant Sciences Division, briefed the audience on various research domains of CSIR-IIIM in sync with the Ladakh region. He emphasized on development of region-specific agro technologies to suit the Ladakh region and protect IPR.
Dr Nasir Ul Rasheed, Senior Scientist, informed that the worldwide focus of scientists and planners has shifted to the development of time-appropriate technologies, protection of inventions/technologies and real-time technology transfer through licensing for industrial and agricultural growth leading to overall economic development.
Dr Kancherla Prasad, the Convener of the conference, informed the participants about the importance of such a conference to promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the protection of intellectual property rights in the Agrotech industry.
Dr Padma lay scientist conducted the proceedings and presented the vote of thanks.
