Plant breeders’ rights proliferate in Asia

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-36
Author(s):  
David J. Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeders Rights

scholarly journals The Effects of Plant Breeders’ Rights on Wheat Productivity and Varietal Improvement in South African Agriculture

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3378
Author(s):  
Charity Ruramai Nhemachena ◽  
Johann F. Kirsten ◽  
Binganidzo Muchara
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
South African ◽  
Wheat Variety ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Whole Wheat ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Varietal Improvement ◽  
African Agriculture ◽  
Protection Index ◽  
Plant Breeders Rights

The strengthening of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) for plant varieties provide incentives for breeding companies to invest more resources in plant breeding. The main objective of this paper was to analyze the effects of strengthening the wheat variety intellectual protection on wheat productivity and the release of new varieties. The strength of IPR systems was measured using an intellectual property (IP) protection index, and plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) granted for wheat varieties. The empirical analyses were based on correlation and multiple regression analyses. The results showed that strengthening IPR systems in South Africa contribute to improving wheat productivity and increasing the number of wheat varieties released. Furthermore, although the robust coefficients of the other IPR variables are positive, they are statistically insignificant for all scenarios. There is a need for more incentives beyond granting PBRs and strengthening of IPR systems to be provided in the whole wheat sector to stimulate increased investments and the release of new varieties.

scholarly journals Plant Breeders' Rights Licensing in Smallholder Farming: Observations From Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Peter Munyi ◽  
Bram De Jonge ◽  
Neils Louwaars
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Market Conditions ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Planting Material ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Plant Breeders Rights

Focusing on Kenya as an example of a market where food production is mostly for subsistence purposes, this article seeks to establish whether licensing of plant breeders’ rights is a mechanism that can facilitate access to seeds and planting material to smallholder farmers. Through a case study method and qualitative interviews of a wide range of stakeholders, it was found that licensing strategies that are employed in market conditions such as those prevailing in Kenya usually involve some form of market differentiation. This is in order to ensure that the targeted beneficiary is reached. It was also found that whatever licensing strategy is employed, each has some advantages and disadvantages. Further, not-for-profit technology brokers have emerged with a view to absorb some costs in the licensing process which are otherwise out of reach for smallholder farmers. Breeders also waive some of their rights with respect to protected varieties. The article concludes that the use of licensing as a tool to facilitate access to seeds and planting material for smallholder farmers in market conditions such as those prevailing in Kenya has received little attention and only involves very few commercial crops.  Where breeders choose to waive some of their rights, they should let farmers know so as to create legal certainty on utilization of accessed varieties. 

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Wheat Yield and Variability: Evidence from Manitoba, Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Carew ◽  
Elwin G. Smith ◽  
Cynthia Grant
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Spatial Diversity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wheat Cultivars ◽  
Biodiversity Indicators ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Plant Breeders Rights

Production functions to explain regional wheat yields have not been studied extensively in the Canadian prairies. The objective of this study is to employ a Just-Pope production function to examine the relationship between fertilizer inputs, soil quality, biodiversity indicators, cultivars qualifying for Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR), and climatic conditions on the mean and variance of spring wheat yields. Using regional-level wheat data from Manitoba, Canada, model results show nitrogen fertilizer, temporal diversity, and PBR wheat cultivars are associated with increased yield variance. Mean wheat yield is reduced by the proportion of land in wheat, the interaction of growing temperature and precipitation, and spatial diversity. By contrast, higher soil quality and PBR wheat cultivars increase mean yield. The wheat yield increases attributed to PBR range from 37.2 (1.4%) to 54.5 kg/ha (2.0%). Plant Breeders' Rights may have enhanced royalties from increased certified seed sales, but the benefits in terms of higher wheat yield or lower yield variability are limited. Future research is required to understand the interactive effects of fertilization practices, genetic diversity, and environmental conditions on regional wheat yield stability.

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