Traditional rice cultivation in Kerala

This chapter looks at the cultivation of traditional rice varieties in Kerala, South West India. It seeks to test the effectiveness of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 in promoting agricultural innovation by reporting on a survey of 300 farmers of traditional rice varieties in Kerala. The study revealed that farmers were either unaware of the legislation, or unaware of its functions. They have not been much involved in the registration of farmers’ varieties and have not made any benefit-sharing claims in relation to the varieties which have been registered. They have tended to confuse the registration of geographical indications with the registration of farmers’ varieties. This suggests, as a first step, the necessity for awareness raising about the purposes of both pieces of legislation with Indian farmers.