India Proposes Global Seed Rights Tracker at UN Council

Representing RSKS India, Sarath Chandran Babu Sudhambika presented a framework for protecting farmers' seed rights and promoting rural innovation during the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Sudhambika highlighted the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights framework, reporting that 5,346 farmers' varieties were registered by July 2026.

The presentation positioned farmers as custodians of biodiversity and cited the Government of India's network of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations as a successful model for enhancing rural livelihoods and market access. Sudhambika advocated for the establishment of women-led seed-custodian funds and community seed banks to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.

As a primary recommendation, Sudhambika proposed the creation of a Global Seed Rights Tracker. This tool would monitor how national intellectual-property frameworks protect the ability of farmers to save and exchange seeds globally. Sudhambika noted that "A seed may rest in a farmer's palm, but within it live food security, biodiversity, culture and freedom."