ZAAB against this model is ill-suited for Zambia’s farmers

“It fails to support the country’s diverse food and farming system and limits adaptation to climate change……………... Nketani

By Daily News Reporter

Plant breeders' rights (PBR) or plant variety rights (PVR) are rights granted to the breeder of a new variety of plant that give the breeder exclusive control over the propagating material and harvested material of a new variety for a number of years.

Farmers’ Rights play a crucial role in shaping inclusive seed legislation. These rights recognize the essential contributions of farmers to agricultural biodiversity and the conservation of plant genetic resources. So Farmers have the right to save, use, exchange, and sell seeds from their own harvest. This practice helps maintain local crop diversity and adaptability.

And in addition farmers should be actively involved in decisions related to seed policies, research, and development. Their traditional knowledge and practices contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture.

Farmers should have access to diverse genetic resources, including traditional varieties. This access enables them to adapt to changing environmental conditions and improve crop resilience.

When commercial varieties are developed using farmers’ genetic resources, fair and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms should be in place. This ensures that farmers receive compensation for their contributions.

Farmers’ Rights protect against unfair practices such as seed patents and restrictive intellectual property rights that hinder farmers’ ability to save and exchange seeds.

And Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB) is against Zambia’s intention to join the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). They express concern about the undue influence of the UPOV secretariat in drafting Zambia’s new Bill.

According to ZAAB country coordinator Mutinta Nketani, stated that amending a sovereign law solely to further outside and private interests at the expense of national interests, particularly farmer’s rights, is unacceptable. The proposed amendments aim to align Zambia’s laws with the UPOV 1991 standards, but Nketani argues that this model is ill-suited for Zambia’s context. It fails to support the country’s diverse food and farming system and limits adaptation to climate change.

Nketani has urged the government to abandon efforts to pass, repeal, and adopt the proposed new Bill to officially join UPOV. Let them Facilitate an open and transparent national discussion on farmer’s rights.

“Develop and adopt a comprehensive legal framework to fully implement Zambia’s obligations regarding farmer’s rights” Nketani said.

She further said that if enacted, the Bill could pose a threat to Zambia’s agro-biodiversity, lead to increased seed prices, and potentially result in corporate control over the seed and food system. It’s essential to balance international standards with local needs and priorities. (© Copyright Reserved)