Policy-maker Resources on Plant Variety Protection

Introducing a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) system is a critical step for any country aiming to foster agricultural innovation, improve food security and nutrition, and drive economic growth. A well-functioning PVP system provides legal protection for plant breeders by granting them exclusive rights over their new plant varieties.
This incentive encourages investment in research and development, leading to the creation of improved varieties that are better suited to farmers’ needs and aspirations. In turn, this benefits the entire agricultural sector, enhances livelihoods, and strengthens the country’s capacity to compete in regional and global markets.

“One of the key areas I have prioritized in my work is intellectual property, with particular focus on UPOV-related matters. These UPOV sessions provide a valuable platform for members, including Ghana—one of the newest UPOV members—to exchange experiences and expertise. The overarching goal is to ensure robust protection for new plant varieties, empowering breeders with exclusive rights while fostering innovation incentive and research.”

Mrs Diana Dapaah, Former Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of Ghana

Videos

Farmer-Breeders in Viet Nam

Rice and longan farmer-breeders using PVP to support their breeding work, bringing benefits for local farmers and the Vietnamese economy

Role of PVP in supporting national agricultural policy in Viet Nam

How plant variety protection is supporting national agricultural policy in Viet Nam

Transformation of the seed sector in Viet Nam

Development of the seed sector after UPOV membership results in farmers having greater access to high quality seed

Development of the flower industry in Viet Nam

Flower growers benefitting from increased variety choice and technical support as a result of PVP in Viet Nam

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

Triple Helix - government, business and academia working together. Learn how this complements plant variety protection

Brazil

New varieties of Common Bean: Impact achieved by EMBRAPA through PVP of new varieties in Brazil

China

New Varieties of trees and herbs with high quality developed in China

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

How UPOV helps a family plant breeding business in the Netherlands to operate globally

Chile

Improved options for raspberry growers in Chile

Peru

The plant variety protection system: the benefits for the development of the rice sector in Peru

China

Celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the accession of China to the UPOV Convention

UPOV system bringing benefits for agriculture in Colombia

See how the UPOV system is supporting agriculture and promoting rural development through new improved varieties, with examples of sugar beet and ornamentals

Tsuyahime rice

A new rice variety bringing increased income for farmers in Japan

Rose industry blooming in Kenya

Discover how the UPOV system enabled Kenya to develop a $500 million cut-flower industry that employs 500,000 Kenyans

Canadian cherry growers benefit from government policy

See how the Government of Canada uses PVP to improve the livelihood of Canadian cherry growers

Argentina

Using the UPOV system to benefit custodians of native wild germplasm in Argentina

Uruguay

How PVP enabled a public breeder to ensure a supply of high quality onion seed to farmers

Ecuador

The role of PVP in the development of a new blackberry variety that improves farmers’ working conditions