Civil Society Groups Warn Government Against Treaty Amendments That Could ‘Internationalise’ India’s Agricultural Genetic Resources

Civil society organisations under the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) have urged the Government of India to reject proposed amendments to the International Plant Treaty (ITPGRFA), warning that the changes could severely compromise India’s sovereignty over agricultural genetic resources. The concerns were submitted in a formal letter dated 15 November 2025 addressed to the Ministers of Agriculture and Environment. 

According to the letter, the most alarming proposal under consideration at the Governing Body’s 11th Session (GB11) in Lima is the expansion of the Multilateral System (MLS) to include all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). Civil society groups argue this would effectively open India’s vast seed diversity to multinational seed corporations based in developed nations. 

The groups reject claims made at a recent consultation that India can choose which crops to share under MLS. Citing Articles 11, 12 and 30 of the Treaty, they argue that once a country joins the Treaty, no reservations are allowed, meaning all PGRFA must be shared. This directly contradicts India’s own Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and PPVFR Act, 2001, which protect farmers’ custodianship and national sovereignty over genetic resources. 

The letter also challenges statements made by Dr. Sunil Archak, Officer-in-Charge of NBPGR during the consultation, noting that India has already shared over 4 lakh seed samples, including farmers’ varieties, with MLS - contrary to claims that farmers’ seeds are not provided. Groups also dispute the argument that India needs MLS expansion to access genetic material of four crops, saying India already holds substantial diversity and alternative access pathways. 

ASHA warns that the current MLS lacks tracking, transparency and accountability—even for Digital Sequence Information (DSI). Without reforms, they argue, the system could enable “digital biopiracy,” allowing powerful multinational entities to access Indian germplasm with no oversight. 

The coalition has urged the government to reject the amendments, demand full public disclosure of MLS users, oppose new confidentiality clauses, and insist on strong traceability mechanisms before any expansion is considered. They also call for appointing an experienced negotiator to represent India at GB11 and restricting the involvement of Dr. Archak due to potential conflicts of interest. 

The letter concludes by stating that India’s rich genetic heritage - stewarded for generations by farmers - must not be compromised without safeguards that ensure transparency, equity and national sovereignty.