Shivraj Singh Chouhan Felicitates Farmers with ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards’ at PPV&FRA Silver Jubilee Celebration
Silver Jubilee of PPV&FRA Act and 21st Foundation Day of the authority celebrated
The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, November 12, 2025: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today honoured farmers from across India with the ‘Plant Genome Saviour Awards’ during a grand ceremony at the C. Subramaniam Hall, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The event marked the Silver Jubilee of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001, and the 21st Foundation Day of the PPV&FRA Authority.
During the celebration, the Minister felicitated individual farmers and community groups for their remarkable contribution to conserving traditional seeds and safeguarding agricultural biodiversity. Among the awardees were the Community Seed Bank of Telangana, Shiksha Niketan of West Bengal, Mithilanchal Makhana Producers’ Association (Bihar), CRS-Na Dihing Tenga Unyan Committee (Assam), and several individual farmers from Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Bihar.
Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the PPV&FRA for its exemplary efforts in protecting plant varieties and farmer rights over the last two decades. He said that India’s ancient agricultural wisdom continues to sustain modern practices, and “while new crop varieties are vital for productivity, preserving traditional seeds is essential for nutritional balance and ecological stability.”
He noted that the government, through PPV&FRA, provides financial incentives of up to ₹15 lakh to promote the conservation of indigenous seed varieties. Calling seed the “biggest capital of a farmer,” Chouhan emphasized the need for balance between innovation and tradition in Indian agriculture.
The Minister acknowledged that many farmers remain unaware of the PPV&FRA Act and its benefits, and urged for simplified registration procedures. “We must enhance transparency and ensure that the benefits of the Act reach the grassroots. Farmers who preserve our biodiversity are the true custodians of India’s agricultural heritage,” he stated.
He further assured that the government will consider amendments to the PPV&FRA Act based on new suggestions from stakeholders to strengthen its impact.
Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, commended the natural and organic practices adopted by farmers to conserve seeds. He highlighted that the PPV&FRA has created a strong institutional framework for promoting conservation and innovation in plant breeding.
Another Minister of State for Agriculture, Ramnath Thakur, urged for intensified efforts to conserve traditional crops like ‘mandua’ (finger millet) and to promote the medicinal value of indigenous varieties through research and awareness.
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), established under the 2001 Act, operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Headquartered in New Delhi, it serves as a statutory body to:
Over the last 21 years, PPV&FRA has registered thousands of plant varieties and supported numerous farmer communities with financial and institutional recognition.
The celebration of the PPV&FRA’s Silver Jubilee and 21st Foundation Day signifies a milestone in India’s agricultural evolution. By bridging modern innovation with traditional wisdom, the Authority continues to uphold the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, ensuring a resilient, sustainable, and farmer-centric agricultural ecosystem.
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