It is necessary to recognize and protect the rights of the farmers in respect to their contribution made in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources for the development of the new plant varieties. Therefore, an awareness programme “Protecting Rights in Areas of Farm Innovations, Breeding and Protection of Varieties” was organized on June 20, 2022 at ICAR-NIASM, Baramati to create awareness amongst farmers for protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants. On this occasion, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director, ICAR-NIASM stated that the farmers are trying to cultivate traditional crop varieties for years and these should be protected by farmers. Farmers can protect such plant varieties by registering under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act 2001. Dr. Shivaji B. Gurav, Former Dy. Registrar, PPV&FRA, Pune branch, emphasized various aspects of PPV&FRA. He also stated that farmers should protect their genetic resources for the development of the new varieties and asked the farmers to register their plant varieties with the help of PPVFRA. Dr. Gurav also gave detailed information about the process of registration of plant varieties. On this occasion, Dr. Boraiah KM, Scientist, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati stated about importance of farmers varieties, also focused on problems faced by the farmers in registering their varieties with PPVFRA. About 200 participants including 100 farmers from Vidarbha region of Maharshtra (Yavatmal, Nagpur, Akola, Indapur, Baramati and Malegaon) along with scientists, technical and administrative staff, students, YPs, and SRFs participated in this awareness Programme. The programme was coordinated by ITMC members of ICAR, NIASM; Dr Himanshu Pathak, Dr Ajay K Singh, Dr Sachin S Pawar and Dr Aliza Pradhan.