INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) IN AGRICULTURE​

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Agriculture provides a structured overview of the principles, forms, applications, and challenges of intellectual property protection within the agricultural sector. The book begins with the concept and historical development of IPR and explains its importance, scope, objectives, and global relevance in agriculture. It then introduces major forms of intellectual property protection, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, geographical indications, and plant variety protection.

A major focus of the book is the relationship between intellectual property and agricultural innovation. It discusses patentability criteria, agricultural biotechnology patents, the protection of seeds and plant genes, patent application procedures, and the challenges associated with agricultural patenting. The book also examines plant variety protection, farmers’ rights, breeders’ rights, and the role of plant variety protection in agricultural development.

The book further explores geographical indications and their significance for agricultural products, including registration, economic benefits, and implementation challenges. Agricultural biotechnology is addressed through discussions on genetic engineering, protection of genetically modified crops, biotechnology patents, food security, and associated ethical issues.

An international perspective is developed through coverage of WIPO, the TRIPS Agreement, the UPOV Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and other international treaties affecting agricultural intellectual property. The later chapters connect IPR with sustainable agricultural development, technology transfer, research incentives, rural development, and sustainable agriculture policies. The book also addresses practical and policy challenges such as farmers’ access to technology, biopiracy, traditional knowledge, seed ownership, regulatory issues, and the balance between innovation and public interest. Finally, it considers emerging trends, digital agriculture, policy recommendations, future challenges, and opportunities, providing a concluding perspective on the evolving role of IPR in agriculture.