Awareness programme on ‘Understanding Intellectual Property Rights in Scientific Research’ at PJTAU on 20.12.2025

A one-day awareness programme on “Understanding Intellectual Property Rights in Scientific Research” was organized jointly by Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) and Telangana Council of Science and Technology (TGCOST) on 20th December 2025 at EEI-Seminar Hall, PJTAU, Rajendranagar. Dr. S. K. Rao, Former Vice-Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior, graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, he congratulated the plant breeders for developing a large number of varieties over the past ten years since the formation of the state and for popularizing these varieties through large-scale seed production. He emphasized the need to commercialize varietal technologies and to enhance the licensing of varieties and hybrids to private sector seed companies. He further stressed that breeders should also focus on value chain–oriented technologies, particularly grain quality parameters, which have significant potential in the export market. He urged breeders to develop varieties suited for organic farming systems to effectively tap export opportunities. Dr. M. Balram, Director of Research, PJTAU, in his address, emphasized that scientists should think out of the box to generate innovative ideas and develop commercially viable innovations with patent potential. He also noted that while notable achievements have been made in crop improvement, there remains immense scope for innovation in precision farming, farm mechanization, and the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture. As part of the programme, Dr. Umesh Hududamani, Scientist (Research Systems and Management), ICAR–National Academy of Agricultural Research and Management (NAARM), delivered a comprehensive lecture on the overview of Intellectual Property Rights, covering various types of IPRs with appropriate and illustrative examples. Dr. H. H. Kumaraswamy, Scientist, ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), who has extensive experience in patent filing, elaborated on patents, their types, filing procedures, and patent infringement issues. Dr. M. V. Nagesh Kumar, Director (Seeds), PJTAU, presented the status of registration of crop varieties developed by PJTAU under the PPV&FRA, and outlined future strategies for licensing varietal technologies of the University. Dr. G. Venkateshwaralu, Managing Director, AgHub, highlighted recent developments in patenting of agricultural and allied technologies. Overall, 80 participants, comprising 46 scientists and 34 research scholars, attended the programme. All the Ph.D. scholars actively participated in the interactive sessions and sought clarification on patent filing procedures and emerging technologies eligible for patenting in India and abroad. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Laxmi Prasanna, Scientist (Plant Breeding), PJTAU.