Exploring Benefit-Sharing from the Lab to the Land (Part 1): Agricultural Research and Development in the Context of Conservation and Sustainable Use

This paper explores the use and application of benefit-sharing arising out of the use of genetic resources for food and agriculture for research and development purposes, which is regulated mainly at the inter-State level, in light of equity considerations. It then explores benefit-sharing in relation to IPRs and farmers’ rights, in particular the rights to use, save and exchange seeds, which are regulated at both the inter- and intra-State (domestic) levels. The paper concludes by delineating a research agenda, based on the inter-linkages of international law related to land, food and agriculture.