The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has accused the Narendra Modi–led BJP government of preparing to “surrender India’s seed sovereignty” at the upcoming session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), scheduled in Lima, Peru, from November 24–29, 2025. In a strongly worded statement, AIKS condemned what it called the Centre’s “double game”—projecting farmer-friendly postures domestically while allegedly negotiating away India’s seed rights internationally.
“Domestic Theatre, International Surrender”
AIKS said it is “profoundly outraged” by the Union Government’s “duplicitous stance.” While Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been presenting awards, praising the PPV&FRA, and speaking about amendments to the Plant Variety Act, the organisation alleges that Indian negotiators are set to concede critical ground at the Lima meeting.
According to AIKS, the government is considering proposals that would place India’s entire national seed collections including thousands of indigenous landraces and farmer-bred varieties into a global pool accessible to multinational corporations. This, it says, contradicts the very claims of farmer empowerment the government has been making.
Expanding the Multilateral System: “Anatomy of a Sell-Out”
AIKS warned that the most alarming proposal under consideration is the expansion of the ITPGRFA’s Multilateral System (MLS) to include all plant genetic resources. Such a move, it argues, would have three devastating consequences:
- Theft of Agricultural Heritage:
Seeds conserved by generations of Indian farmers could end up in the hands of foreign agribusinesses, who may patent and commercialize them, effectively selling India’s own genetic wealth back to its farmers. - Failed Benefit-Sharing:
AIKS called the Treaty’s Benefit-Sharing Fund “a sham,” noting that India has contributed immensely to global seed diversity, generating billions in corporate profits, but receives only a “negligible trickle” in return. - Legalized Digital Biopiracy:
The organisation flagged the treaty’s failure to regulate Digital Sequence Information (DSI) genetic data that corporations can download, use to develop new varieties, patent, and profit from without any obligation to share benefits with India.
AIKS Accuses India’s Lead Negotiator of Misleading the Public
AIKS sharply criticised the government’s lead negotiator, Dr. Sunil Archak, for allegedly downplaying the risks. His claim that India “still possesses the freedom to decide what to share” is “factually incorrect and dangerously misleading,” the organisation said, adding that once the Treaty expands, India will face binding obligations.
AIKS further said Dr. Archak’s stance conflicts with India’s own Biological Diversity Act, and demanded an immediate overhaul of the negotiation team.
AIKS Issues Four Key Demands
The farmers’ body called on the Government of India to:
- Immediately and publicly reject the proposed expansion of the Multilateral System.
- Ensure mandatory, transparent, and equitable benefit-sharing from corporations using India’s genetic resources.
- Regulate Digital Sequence Information (DSI) under the Treaty to prevent digital biopiracy.
- Replace the current negotiating team, including Dr. Sunil Archak, with individuals committed to protecting national and farmers’ interests.
AIKS linked the issue to a broader pattern of “anti-farmer policies,” including the continued denial of a legal guarantee for MSP and the refusal to provide a complete loan waiver.
Call for Nationwide Protests from November 26
Citing the gravity of the situation, AIKS, representing millions of farmers announced a nationwide protest beginning November 26.
It appealed to farmer organizations, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) partners, and citizens across the country to unite against the “betrayal of India’s annadatas.”
“Our seeds are our sovereignty, and we will not let any government surrender them,” the statement said.
Rajan Kshirsagar
President, All India Kisan Sabha
Ravula Venkaih
General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha
