Session 8: Participatory Plant Breeding and Property Rights

Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is basically, a methodology for the improvement of and research in crops, especially those of local importance, where farmers, researchers, industry, consumers and users in general participate in the development process. It has gained recognition over the last decade as a response to the need to promote more sustainable agricultural practices in noncommercial and under-utilized crops, particularly in developing countries. PPB poses some interesting and complex issues regarding ownership, traditional knowledge and IP in seeds, materials and technologies applied to the breeding process. Contracts and agreements are a useful tool for accommodating the varying interests and needs of different stakeholders. This session explains how laws can affect collaborative arrangements and how contracts and agreements are a useful tool for accommodating the varying interests and needs of different stakeholders engaged in participatory plant breeding.

Training materials for session 8 include a PowerPoint presentation and an interactive group practice exercise. The exercise aims to explain how laws can affect collaborative arrangements, to identify the needs and interests of stakeholders, and to name the issues that are crucial to successful collaborative arrangements.

Additional handouts to enrich the training include a summary of overheads for each presentation, references to the full-text of relevant laws and policies and a bibliography for further reading.

Other materials for trainers include an overview with a complete list of handouts, workshop schedule, an evaluation form and Day 4 Instructions for Trainers with a timed schedule of activities and handouts. See also Information for Trainers , for a selection of templates, tips, and step-by-step guidelines for planning and delivering a successful training workshop.

Additional information