Why Patent filings in agriculture sector is much less?
Compared to developed countries like USA, the number of patent filings in agriculture sector is much less however the Indian agriculture sector is witnessing gradual increase in patent activities, a recent Study reveals.
During 2014-2017 India Patent Office received 5448 patent applications from the Indian Agriculture Sector and majority of them were filed in agrochemicals segment such as Biocides, Pesticides, Herbicides, Pest Repellents and others, according to a recent Study conducted by Einfolge, a Patent and Market Research Organisation.
The Study recently conducted by Einfolge to understand the trend of Patent activity in agriculture sector especially when so much is talked about Skill India and Made in India. The Study was for the period 2014 to 2017.Based on findings, it reveals that 5448 patent applications were filed in the Indian Patent Office for the said period and it is no coincidence that the top 10 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) score highly in the ‘innovation’ parameter.
According to the Study, agrochemicals sector leads the pack with 2880 patent applications, followed by Animal husbandry (775 Applications); Tissue culture technique (488 Applications); Horticulture and forestry (404 Applications). Other segments include Harvesting & mowing (213 Applications); Planting, Sowing & Fertilizing (194 Applications); Soil Machinery (159 Applications); Threshing & Storing (93 Applications). The Study says that despite ongoing White Revolution Dairy Products segment received only 48 applications in the last three years.
“Besides only four applications were filed for Shoeing of animals’ related innovations. These numbers are much lesser than what is filed in USA or other developed economy where agriculture plays a crucial role,” it reveals.
Commenting on the findings of the Study, Ruhan Swain Rajput, Director, Einfolge said, “Innovation is the key of advancement of any field of technology and it holds true for the agriculture sector also. The eco-system talks only about farmers loan waiver schemes and agricultural products players have focussed on Biocides, pesticides etc. But nobody has thought about permanent solutions which can be fulfilled by innovations, which is in terms of agricultural machinery tools and techniques (planting, harvesting, threshing and storing techniques). There is a dire need for innovation in the field of Agriculture.”
“Efficiency has always been at the heart of any innovative undertaking, and each invention invariably leads to an increased level of productivity and economic growth,” he emphasized.
India’s GCI ranking of 40 can be significantly improved with a growth path focused on innovation. A recent report by PwC examined India’s potential growth through innovation under three scenarios: investment in human capital, in physical infrastructure, and in innovation. It concluded that the maximum gain can be derived from investments in innovation.
Even as India has made the large strides in increasing food security, the sector remains constrained by low productivity, excessive dependence on Monsoon and weather conditions, continuing fragmentation of land and preponderance of fragmented markets. However, the government has engaged in fresh thinking on the development of the agriculture sector, but India is still lagging behind in terms of innovations and protecting indigenous technologies through Patent process.