This paper contributes to the discussion on on-farm conservation for specific regions, crops, local varieties and cropping systems. The social and private value of traditional varieties is very high both for farmers, for local communities and for the plant breeders or other researchers of the conventional sector. Although most of the genetic diversity of local varieties is represented in ex situ collections, the landraces and the knowledge of agricultural practices still have a great in situ and on-farm value. A great emphasis will be laid on the 'rights of farmers and of local communities' supplying the germplasm. The authors argue that the 'farmers' rights', within an international context, is one of the most urgent problems to solve for political, environmental, scientific, economic and ethical reasons. To this end, the major results of the latest international debates are reported along with the provisions and/or mechanisms to reward the work of both farmers and the local communities.