Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath highlights the government’s strong commitment to farmers’ welfare, emphasizing respect, rights, and support under the PPV&FRA Act. He credits PM Modi’s policies for empowering cultivators and strengthening agricultural growth in the state.
Tripura Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday reaffirmed that both the Central and state governments are strongly committed to ensuring the welfare, dignity, and long-term development of farmers across the country.
Speaking at a Workshop and Input Distribution Programme on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV & FR Act) held at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Salema, Dhalai district, the Minister emphasized that cultivators are finally receiving the respect they deserve after years of neglect.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, farmers have gained increased recognition for their contributions to the nation. According to him, the government’s farmer-centric policies and continuous support have helped transform the agricultural sector and restore farmers’ self-esteem.
“Even if I wish, it is not possible to get certificates; there are so many farmers who know better than scientists. PM Modi has said that scientists must take their knowledge from the lab to the land, assist farmers first, and then carry out research. Farmers are now receiving due respect. Farmers are annadata. PM Modi has said farmers are the real gods. We must serve the farmers,” Nath said.
The Minister explained that the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), 2001, is a landmark legislation enacted to safeguard improved plant varieties while also formally acknowledging the traditional rights of farmers. He said that the Act plays a crucial role in preserving agricultural diversity and encouraging continuous innovation in the farm sector.
Nath informed the audience that the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA Authority) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. The authority oversees the registration, protection, and legal recognition of plant varieties developed by both scientists and farmers.
According to him, the central purpose of the Act is to ensure that new crop varieties are officially registered in the name of the farmer or breeder responsible for their development. This gives the farmer complete legal rights over the variety, including benefits derived from its commercial use.
The Minister further elaborated that the law aims to protect innovative seeds, recognize the contributions of farmers in conserving traditional seed varieties, promote agricultural research, guarantee farmers’ access to quality seeds, and establish a transparent system for legal protection of crops. These measures, he said, are essential for safeguarding India’s agricultural biodiversity and empowering the rural farming community.
Nath pointed out that in earlier times, farmers were rarely acknowledged publicly, let alone given a place on the stage during official events. The present government, he said, has reversed this trend by placing farmers at the center of all policy decisions.
He also mentioned that PM Modi has instructed both the central and state administrations to extend every possible form of assistance to farmers. With India’s population standing at 145 crore, and about 20 crore people engaged in farming, the Minister stressed the critical role played by cultivators in sustaining the nation. In Tripura alone, out of a population of 42.22 lakh, there are 4.72 lakh farmers who ensure food security for the entire state.
“Now, who is god? PM Modi always stresses the development of farmers, women, youth, and the poor. Only then can we build Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. In Tripura, farmers are getting rights over their products. Agriculture has played a key role in the state’s economic growth. The per-capita income is increasing, and this progress has been possible due to the efforts of our government,” the Minister added.
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The event was also attended by MLAs Swapna Das Pal, Manoj Kanti Deb, Chittaranjan Debbarma, Smabhu Lal Chakma, and several other dignitaries, reflecting the government’s growing emphasis on inclusive agricultural development and farmer empowerment.
