The convention has been prepared by delhi based gene campaign and centre for environmental and agricultural development (Cead) to safeguard the interests of poor and marginal farmers of developing nations.

The draft, would be submitted to the president, prime minister and senior ministers and policy makers soon, Suman Sahai, convenor of gene campaign, told journalists today.

Sahai and SK Sinha, national professor at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) expressed concern over reported suggestions in some government quarters that India should become member of Upov.

Sahai said the proposed Cofab is intended to protect farmers' and breeders' rights in developing countries, unlike Upov which only protects breedersrights and suits the interests of the west.

Cofab places farmers' rights on par with breeders' rights and recognises farmers' traditional knowledge of plant varieties and their contribution to evolving and conserving plant varieties.