The Plant Treaty’s proposed reforms risk reducing farmers to passive stakeholders in global seed governance. Explain how the dual-access model affects benefit-sharing. Examine the impact of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on bio-sovereignty. Suggest institutional safeguards India must adopt.1021
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country.
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country.
Q5. The Plant Treaty’s proposed reforms risk reducing farmers to passive stakeholders in global seed governance. Explain how the dual-access model affects benefit-sharing. Examine the impact of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on bio-sovereignty. Suggest institutional safeguards India must adopt. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question Ongoing negotiations at the 2025 Lima meeting of the Plant Treaty, co-chaired by India, have sparked fears among farmers’ groups about loss of seed sovereignty due to proposed reforms like the dual-access model and Digital Sequence Information (DSI) mechanisms. Key Demand of the question The question asks how the dual-access model weakens benefit-sharing, the implications of DSI for India’s bio-sovereignty, and the institutional safeguards needed to protect farmers and national interests. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Briefly mention the importance of seed sovereignty and how evolving global rules threaten equitable access and benefit-sharing. Body Explain how the dual-access model allows companies to bypass fair compensation and weakens transparency. Examine how DSI bypasses physical access laws, undermines traceability, and leads to digital biopiracy. Suggest institutional measures like legal amendments, traceability frameworks, stronger farmer rights, and global leadership on DSI regulation. Conclusion Highlight the need for balancing international obligations with local sovereignty to protect the future of farming and biodiversity.
Why the question
Ongoing negotiations at the 2025 Lima meeting of the Plant Treaty, co-chaired by India, have sparked fears among farmers’ groups about loss of seed sovereignty due to proposed reforms like the dual-access model and Digital Sequence Information (DSI) mechanisms.
Key Demand of the question
The question asks how the dual-access model weakens benefit-sharing, the implications of DSI for India’s bio-sovereignty, and the institutional safeguards needed to protect farmers and national interests.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Briefly mention the importance of seed sovereignty and how evolving global rules threaten equitable access and benefit-sharing.
• Explain how the dual-access model allows companies to bypass fair compensation and weakens transparency.
• Examine how DSI bypasses physical access laws, undermines traceability, and leads to digital biopiracy.
• Suggest institutional measures like legal amendments, traceability frameworks, stronger farmer rights, and global leadership on DSI regulation.
Conclusion Highlight the need for balancing international obligations with local sovereignty to protect the future of farming and biodiversity.