By Wallace Mawire
Zimbabwe has initiated the process to validate the plant breeders rights amendment draft Bill to align the country with global trends in plant variety protection. The Ministry of Lands,Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has convened a draft Bill validation workshop attended by stakeholders from the seed sector, breeders and farmers to align the Bill with the lnternational Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) convention. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Professor Obert Jiri said as they discussed the Plant Breeders’ Rights Amendment Bill they are not just talking about legislation; but they are shaping the future of the agricultural industry. “Our breeders have been famous for making significant contributions to shaping the agricultural industry, not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide,” he said.
He said they seen remarkable advancements in science, from biotechnology to genomic sequencing. According to Professor Jiri, in the next few years, Artificial lntelligence will play a significant role in the protein field. He said there is need to protect intellectual property and ensure that local breeders are motivated to produce more plants for the country and the world.
Professor Jiri said national imperatives have changed and the impact of climate change and population growth on the agricultural sector must be recognized. He said there is need to develop climate-smart varieties and promote sustainable agricultural practices. “The draft amendment bill is not just an option; it’s a necessity for all of us.
As we look at this bill, let’s see how we can create a secure environment that attracts significant public and private sector investment into local plant breeding and accelerates the development of varieties that are adaptable to our needs. We must also facilitate access to global germplasm, aligning with international standards and promoting innovation, “he said.
He added that the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the plant breeding process, administered by a competent authority. Jiri urged stakeholders to adopt clearer guidelines for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability testing. He also emphasized the need for provisions for transparency and step-order access to information.
He also highlighted the need to look at the issue of benefit sharing in genetic resources and ensuring that the draft Bill acknowledges the interface with access to genetic resources. He urged cooperation amongst stakeholders to create an enabling policy environment that promotes innovation and protects intellectual property.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Seed Association (ZSA), Ivan Craig said the association supports Zimbabwe’s accession to the UPOV 1991 Convention and Alignment of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act to the Convention.
Craig said the Government of Zimbabwe embarked on the journey toward accession to the UPOV 1991 Convention several years ago, seeking to align the country with a globally recognised system for the protection of new plant varieties.
Graig said today, the process has reached a critical stage, and it is imperative that all stakeholders come together to support the transformative milestone.
Craig said the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Established by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants in 1961, revised in 1972, again it was revised in 1978, then 1991, UPOV has spent over six decades promoting plant variety protection (PVP) systems that drive innovation and benefit societies worldwide.
He said a key requirement for Zimbabwe’s accession is the alignment of its Plant Breeders’ Rights Act with the provisions of the UPOV 1991 Convention.
Craig said as representatives of the seed industry, stakeholders must strongly support the establishment and reinforcement of an effective Plant Variety Protection system. “We believe this step is essential for several reasons such as
Promoting Innovation,
Legal protection encourages breeders to invest time and resources into developing new and improved varieties, knowing their efforts will be legally safeguarded.
Ensuring Return on Investment, “he said.
He said a robust PVP system enables breeders and companies to recoup research and development costs through royalties and licensing, making continued innovation economically viable and
fostering professional distribution.
He said it supports structured and professional dissemination of varieties, helping maintain seed quality and traceability throughout the value chain.
Another benefit is adding value to specialised value chains
sectors such as fruit production and brewing. relying on genetically stable, true-to-type varieties, something a well-regulated PVP system ensures.
Craig said they are particularly encouraged by the Government’s renewed commitment to the UPOV accession. He said the momentum presents an exciting opportunity for Zimbabwe’s seed and agriculture sectors and the benefits include
International Protection,
Locally bred varieties will be eligible for protection in other UPOV member states, expanding market access and encouraging global competitiveness.
He said breeders in Zimbabwe will gain improved access to elite genetic material, such as high-oil-content sunflower hybrids and other climate-resilient cultivars.
Craig said accession will also attract local and international investment in plant breeding, facilitating knowledge transfer and positioning Zimbabwe as a regional center for plant innovation.
He said enhanced plant breeding systems contribute to job creation, improved food and nutrition security, increased farmer incomes and higher export potential supporting Zimbabwe’s broader development goals.
“As we engage in this important national process, I urge all stakeholders from public institutions and private companies to civil society and farmer organisations to participate actively and meaningfully.
This is more than a legal alignment exercise. It is a rare and powerful opportunity to shape the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe,”Craig said.
Horticulture Development Council (HDC) Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Linda Nielsen said UPOV is a key that unlocks opportunities for farmers, breeders and the entire nation. She said by aligning Zimbabwe’s plant breeders rights with international standards, the move will open doors to real growth. Nielsen said the accession will give local exporters a competitive advantage in the global market. She said the move will also promote rural and economic development as a result of proliferation of better seeds and new varieties. “The country’s accession means more jobs, stronger rural economies and a more vibrant horticultural sector,” Nielsen said. She said UPOV accession will help strengthen food security in the face of climate change and production challenges.