Adoption of Plant Breeders' Right System: Perceived Implication for Food Seed Security and Sovereignty in Ghana

2016

English

This study assessed the level of awareness and knowledge among major stakeholders in the relevant sectors of agriculture on the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBRs) Bill of Ghana and review the potential implication of adopting the PBRs system on food and seed security in Ghana based on stakeholders’ perception and case studies from other countries already implementing a PVP system. A field survey was conducted to administer questionnaires to participants comprising plant breeders, farmers, the general public, seed companies and Seed Producers Association, legal practitioners, National Research Institutions and the Registrar General’s Department (proposed regulatory body). The second part of the study is a review of historical data on PBRs system impact studies in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. The primary data were analysed using mainly descriptive statistics, employing Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while the secondary data was analysed, contextualized and narrated. The current study confirmed the proposition that lack of and inadequate awareness and knowledge of the PBRs Bill among stakeholders could have stalled the passage of the Bill. Majority of farmers (61%) were not aware of the existence of the PBRs Bill and as high as between 70-79% lacked knowledge or understanding of the basic provisions of the PBR Bill, including the “farmers’ privilege” provision. Six out of ten (63%) farmers in Ghana continue to rely on their saved seeds, exchange or purchase from local grain markets for planting with only 12% purchasing seeds from Agro-dealer shops. The adoption of PBRs system in Ghana has the potential to improve the seed and food security system provided the recommendations offered by various stakeholders are thoughtfully considered.

Mpanju, F.; Bortey, H. M.