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Farmers feed the world, by producing the food on which we all depend. Since farmers are the developers and custodians of crop diversity in the field, their rights in this regard are critical to maintain their pivotal role in providing food security and nutrition – never more so than in the current era of climate change and other major challenges facing humanity. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (International Treaty) is the first legally binding international agreement to formally recognize the contribution of local and Indigenous communities and farmers to the conservation and development of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Article 9 of the International Treaty provides for the recognition, realization and promotion of Farmers’ Rights as they relate to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Farmers’ Rights can be realized through a series of measures and practices that can be put in place to protect, promote and realize these rights. The promotion and realization of these rights enable farmers and farming communities to continue performing their role as developers and custodians of crop diversity, and to feed the world for the generations to come.

This publication presents the “Options for encouraging, guiding, and promoting the realization of Farmers' Rights, as set out in Article 9 of the International Treaty". It contains 27 options developed by an expert group, drawing on the experiences of Contracting Parties and stakeholders. Contracting Parties and interested stakeholders are invited to consider the full range of options for implementing Farmers' Rights at the national level, in accordance with their needs and priorities and as appropriate.