Plant Treaty Six-Day Session Commences in Delhi Today

The 9th session of the Governing Body of the "International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture" (ITPGRFA) started today i.e., September 19, and will go on until September 24 and will feature discussions on topics related to the development, conservation, and protection of plant genetic resources for the benefit of the farming community. India is currently hosting the ITPGRFA session, often known as the Plant or Seed Treaty.

According to Kent Nnadozie, secretary of the ITPGRFA, the scientific interchange of technology development across the nations would also help mitigate the negative consequences of climate change and food security globally.

The event started today with great success and many dignitaries participated in it.

Manoj Ahuja Secretary, MoA&FW, welcomed the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar at the 9th session of the Governing Body of ITPGRFA being held in New Delhi from September 19-24, 2022 with the theme of 'Celebrating the Guardians of Crop Diversity.

Yasmina Bahloul, Chair of the Plant Treaty Governing body welcomed all delegates and called for fruitful outcomes to take the Plant or Seed Treaty forward. She thanked the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for excellent hospitality.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India welcomed delegates on behalf of the United Nations & expressed happiness that the UN was associated with the very important Plant Treaty. He called for global solutions to global problems, especially climate change in food production.

Dr. Dongou Qu, Director General, Food & Agriculture Organization, while thanking the Government of India for hosting the 9^th session of Governing Body of the ITPGRFA, said the Plant Treaty was universal and ITPGRFA needs sharing and caring for food security. These resources are important for agricultural resilience, especially in changing climate.

ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak said the plant genetic resources available in different countries would act as a base material for the development of new varieties to ensure better quality and higher productivity of crops.

Other prominent dignitaries present at this session were Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crop), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, a female farmer from Bihar.