Seed patents

Seed patents are legal protections granted to the genetic makeup of specific seed varieties, giving the patent holder exclusive rights to produce, sell, and use those seeds. This means farmers or companies cannot legally save or reuse the patented seeds without permission. Seed patents are used to protect innovations in crop genetics, encouraging development of new, higher-yielding, or resistant plant varieties. They play a significant role in modern agriculture by fostering investment in seed research, but also raise concerns about seed diversity and farmers’ long-term access to planting material.