Question
A ‘new’ variety of rice was patented by a foreign company, though such varieties have been present in India for a long time. This is related to
Co-667
Sharbati Sonora
Basmati
Lerma Rojo
Solution
C.
Basmati
- In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmati rice through the US patent and trademark office that was actually been derived from Indian farmer’s varieties.
- The diversity of rice in India is one of the richest in the world, 27 documented varieties of Basmati are grown in India.
- Indian basmati was crossed with semi-dwarf varieties and claimed as an invention or a novelty.
- Sharbati Sonora and Lerma Rojo are varieties of wheat.
