A case for plant patents

-- A group of leading agricultural scientists in the country has called for the patenting of plant and animal biodiversity to be emphasised in order to ensure the introduction of an effective germplasm bank. In their paper, Genesis of farmers' prosperity and the gatt agreement, R K Patel, vice-chancellor, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, I P S Yadav, vice-chancellor, Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, and R K Mehta, senior scientist at the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, have also stressed the need to augment and strengthen facilities and develop manpower in the fields of plant and animal molecular biology.

The scientists also called for the setting up of farm produce agribusiness centres in the 124 gatt member countries, so that exporters could get a regular feedback on things such as prices and quality demands. Linkages should be maintained between exporters, distributors and consumers of Indian farm produce in the international market, the scientists added.