Director of the Crops Research Institute of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has bemoaned continued delay in passing Plant Breeders Law.

 Dr. Stella Aba Enning says a number of crop varieties developed in the country such as maize are being used by more than 15 African countries free of charge because of the absence of the bill.

The bill which seeks empower crop breeders to earn royalties has been in Parliament for four years.

Industry players believe when passed into law, it will encourage private sector investment in agricultural research.

The crop scientist believes the bill will provide a legal framework which will allow transactions to be made between Ghana and other countries in the payment of royalties.

Dr. Enning reveals most of improved crop varieties from Ghana are being used for free elsewhere, despite effort and resources spent to develop them.

She wants expedited action on the passage of the law to protect the rights of local scientists.

 “It will be a way of getting some investments into the research system so that more varieties can be developed.

 A bill like this will be able to help us develop more varieties so that farmers will have more options and also improve varieties to meet the climate change and emerging diseases”, she added.

She spoke to Luv Fm at the 6^th edition of Research Conference organised by the Ghana Science Association branch in Kumasi.

It was under the theme “Achieving Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security through Science and Technology”.