Farmers' Rights to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Implementation of the Plant Treaty and the Nagoya Protocol in Bulgaria (RIGHTS)

The Norwegian Centre for Genetic Resources at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), together with the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources ‘K. Malkov’ in Bulgaria, participated in a project on the implementation of the Plant Treaty and the Nagoya Protocol (2015-2016). The purpose was to propose elements for a national strategy supporting Farmers' Rights in the context of the International Treaty and the Nagoya Protocol, both signed and ratified by Bulgaria. The Norwegian partner actively engaged in workshops and seminars and offered a study tour to Norway for a group of six Bulgarian representatives of target groups. They visited the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, NIBIO, farmers as well as organizations that are part of value chains using PGRFA. Further activities included developing a report on best practices for the realization of Farmers' Rights; a list of measures for implementation of Farmers' Rights; a draft strategy for PGRFA in Bulgaria; and capacity building workshops. The project activities contributed to enhancing awareness and capacities regarding key aspects of Farmers’ Rights, including methods to study policies and processes and to reach consensus on important topics and issues of relevance for farmers' access to PGRFA.