By Khin Yupar
Plant Variety Protection (PVP) is a form of intellectual property (IP) right that grants exclusive rights to breeders of new plant varieties. It incentivizes innovation in agriculture by allowing plant breeders to control the propagation of their new varieties for a defined period, for developing nations like Myanmar, PVP has the potential to drive agricultural transformation by enhancing food security, encouraging sustainable practices, and opening doors for international collaboration.
Key Takeaways
- Driving Agricultural Innovation – PVP grants exclusive rights to breeders of new plant varieties, encouraging innovation that improves food security, promotes sustainable farming, and supports rural economic growth.
- Legal Foundation – Myanmar’s 2019 PVP Law adopts key principles of the UPOV 1991 Convention, such as distinctness, uniformity, stability, and novelty, and aligns with regional standards despite Myanmar not yet being a UPOV member.
- Scope and Duration of Rights – Protection lasts 25 years for trees and vines and 20 years for other crops, administered by the Department of Agricultural Research under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation.
- Openness to Foreign Breeders – The law allows applications from foreign breeders and organizations with agreements with Myanmar, though enforcement consistency and procedural infrastructure are still developing.
- Challenges and Opportunities – Key hurdles include limited DUS testing capacity, low awareness of IP rights among local breeders, and the need for stronger bilateral agreements to fully realize the system’s potential.
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Myanmar’s Agricultural Backbone
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Myanmar’s economy by contributing significantly to GDP and employing a large segment of the rural population. As Myanmar seeks to modernize its agricultural sector, implementing a functioning PVP system is both a strategic and necessary step.
Myanmar’s Legal Framework on PVP and International Influence
Recognizing the importance of protecting plant breeders’ rights and attract investment in the sector, Myanmar enacted the New Plant Variety Protection Law in 2019. While Myanmar is not yet a member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), its legislation reflects key principles from the UPOV 1991 Convention, including requirements of Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability, and Novelty (DUSN) for plant variety registration
Myanmar’s participation in the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum (EAPVP Forum) since 2017 further demonstrates its willingness to align with international and regional standards, even as its domestic framework continues to evolve.
Who Can Apply Under the 2019 PVP Law?
Under the 2019 PVP Law, the following individuals or entities are eligible to apply for protection:
- Myanmar nationals
- Foreigners who have permanent residence in Myanmar under existing law, and their organizations
- Nationals from foreign countries and intergovernmental organizations that have entered into agreements on plant variety protection with Myanmar
This inclusive framework aims to encourage both domestic breeding efforts and foreign collaboration. The practical access for foreign breeders may still depend on procedural clarity and reciprocal arrangements.
Scope and Duration of Protection
Plant breeders’ rights last for:
- 25 years for trees and vines
- 20 years for all other plant varieties
from the date of the issuance of the protection certificate.
Applicants must provide comprehensive data, including variety origin, breeding method, and DUS test results. The process is administered by the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation.
Protection for Foreign Breeders
While Myanmar’s PVP Law provides legal provisions for the protection of foreign applicants, actual enforcement and consistency are still developing. A few certificates have been granted, mainly for hybrid crop varieties which reflect early signs of openness to global agricultural innovation, though more consistent infrastructure and awareness are still needed.
Government Support for New Plant Inventors
The Myanmar Government actively supports plant breeders through several initiatives, including:
- Technical assistance and technical training programs for breeders and farmers
- Collaboration with international agricultural research organizations
- Funding and grants for public-sector breeding projects
- Development of infrastructure for DUS testing and field trials
Benefits of Plant Variety Protection
The implementation of a robust PVP system provides a wide range of benefits:
- Economic Benefits: Increased and improved crop yields and improved quality lead to higher-value products with better marketability.
- Health Benefits: Breeding for nutrient-rich and disease-resistant crops contributes to healthier diets and food security.
- Environmental Sustainability: The development of climate-resilient crops and promotion of sustainable farming practices help preserve natural resources.
Key Challenges Ahead
Despite promising developments, Myanmar still faces challenges:
- Limited infrastructure and technical expertise for DUS testing
- Low awareness among local breeders and farmers about IP rights
- Uncertainty in enforcement mechanisms and legal interpretation
- Need for stronger bilateral agreements to protect foreign breeders
Conclusion
Myanmar’s journey toward a robust PVP system reflects a broader ambition to transform its agricultural landscape through innovation. With continued legal refinement, institutional support, and international cooperation, PVP can serve as a powerful tool in enhancing the country’s food security and rural prosperity.
As IP professionals and stakeholders, we at KASS welcome these developments and stand ready to support breeders in navigating Myanmar’s evolving PVP landscape.