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
Stories
Image: Courtesy of Yeny Campos
Image: Robert Okayo
Latest news
Image: INSTA-PHOTOS/iStock
Videos
Enforcement of Plant Breeders' Rights: challenges and practices
Panel Discussion on Practices and Challenges in Enforcement of Plant Breeders’ Rights held as a side event at the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement (WIPO/ACE/17) in 2025
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