Ganderbal: Department of Botany, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), on Wednesday organised an online lecture on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with special reference to Plant Sciences under the aegis of MoE IIC 5.0 calendar activities.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office Central University of Kashmir, Nodal Person of the Deptt, Prof. Azra N Kamili, highlighted the importance of IPR via-a-Research and Development, entrepreneurship and business development of novel plant varieties. Dean SoLS, Prof. M Yousuf deliberated on the need of IPR for Life Science students, researchers & faculty members. He said “we as stakeholders should know how to file IPR.”
Prof. Parvaze Ahmad Sofi, Professor, Genetics and Plant Breeding, SKUAST-K (Wadura) talked about various facets of IPR, its legalities, PPV&FR Act, 2001, Seed Bill 2004, GI tagging, Farmers Rights etc. He said SKUAST-K has recently launched new saffron variety ‘Shalimar Saffron I’, adding that both SKUAST-K and Jammu and Kashmir administration are working together for GI tagging of 27 local commodities like Saffron, Nishasta halwa (Wheat Starch), Kud Barfi, Mushk Budij etc. He said that local farmers must be awarded Plant Genome Savior, an award from (Ministry of Agriculture) for safeguarding traditional landraces.
Organizing secretary, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sajad Ahmad Lone conducted the proceedings and proposed the vote of thanks. Asst. Prof. Dr. Sofi Javed recorded the proceedings.
