The Central Government has further expanded the scope of plant variety protection under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, to include Mesta and Hibiscus/China Rose. This amendment was officially notified through a gazette notification dated April 25, 2025.
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, aims to provide for the establishment of an effective system for the protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders, and to encourage the development and cultivation of new varieties of plants.
The latest addition to the protected plant varieties list includes:
| Serial Number | Common Name | Genus and Species | Variety Name(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 187 | Mesta | Hibiscus cannabinus L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. | Mesta |
| 188 | Hibiscus/China Rose | Hibiscus L. | Gurhal |
What does this inclusion mean?
This inclusion means that breeders of new and distinct varieties of Mesta and Hibiscus/China Rose will now be able to seek protection for their intellectual property under the PPV&FR Act, 2001. This protection grants breeders exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import, or export the protected variety.
The extension of protection to these commercially and horticulturally important plants is expected to incentivize greater investment in research and development for these crops. This can lead to the development of improved varieties with higher yields, better quality, and enhanced resistance to pests and diseases, ultimately benefiting both breeders and farmers.
Furthermore, the inclusion of “Gurhal” as a variety name for Hibiscus/China Rose acknowledges the local nomenclature and ensures that traditional varieties with unique characteristics can also be registered and protected.
