Quality Seed | Quality Life
August 2024 Newsletter
Dear APSA members and partners,
The focus of many engagements this month for APSA is Plant Variety Protection. Several consultations took place in Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia in a span of two weeks.
The IPKey seminar was held in Bangkok on 19-21 August, organized by the EU IPO, CPVO, UPOV, THASTA, and the Thai Plant Variety Protection Office. It brought together key stakeholders, including farmers, breeders, and academics to deepen understanding of the UPOV 1991 Act, and explore its benefits and implications for sustainability and climate change.
Next, the first ever PVP seminar was held in the Philippines on 22 August with the support of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Naktuibouw, the Dutch government and PSIA. APSA spoke about the impact of plant variety protection in encouraging crop innovation and enabling wider seed choice for farmers.
Finally, the 17th East Asia Plant Variety Protection (EAPVP) forum was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 27-28 August, supported by MAFF Japan, MAFF Cambodia, JATAFF and MUSP. It was attended by 12 countries who showed where they are in their PVP journey. While every country has a slightly different structure of government, all agree that there is a need for agriculture to rise to the occasion.
What these events tell me is that there is so much support and interest from various sectors and stakeholders to promote plant variety protection. There are still many misconceptions about it, therefore open dialogue – and a listening ear - is needed to improve understanding of PVP as tool for sustaining innovation in plant breeding and responding to food security and climate challenges.
APSA will continue to follow this closely and we welcome our members to join in the advocacy.
Best regards,
Ms. Francine Sayoc
APSA Executive Director
THANK YOU to our digital media sponsors
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2024 APSA Seed Technology Webinar – Session 3
ARTWORK
APSA will be holding the 3rd Session of the 2024 APSA Seed Technology Webinar Series, on Friday the 20th of September. The main focus of this webinar will be The Science of Seed Storage: Innovation & Insights, and will feature 2 guest speakers. Participation for this webinar is FREE for ALL ACTIVE APSA Members, but pre-registration is required. To view the webinar agenda, speaker profile & abstract and for registration, please visit the official event webpage at https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2024-apsa-seed-technology-webinar-session-3
2024 Asian Solanaceous & Cucurbits Round Table (ASCRT 2024)
The 2024 Asian Solanaceous & Cucurbits Round Table (ASCRT 2024), which will focus on "Harnessing New Breeding Technologies for climate change-resilient vegetables" will be held from the 24th to the 26th of September 2024 at the Chia Tai Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
We cordially invite everyone to register and join us for 3 days of insightful discussions on crucial topics, including Modern Breeding Techniques, Germplasm Diversity, Genomics & Genome Editing, AI and Digital Technology for High Throughput Phenotyping, and more. Engage in technology platform demonstrations, explore training needs, and discover the potential of public-private partnerships.
For more details on agenda, registration fees and how to register, please visit the official event page here
2024 APSA Large Seed Vegetables & Brassicaceae Okra (LSVBO) Thank God It's Friday – Session 3
APSA will be holding Session 3 of the 2024 APSA LSVBO TGIF Webinar on Friday the 27th of September 2024 and will focus on Cauliflower and will feature 2 guest speakers. To view the webinar agenda, speaker profile & abstract and for registration, please visit the official event webpage here
2024 Asian Seed Congress
The 2024 Asian Seed Congress will be held at the Mangrove Tree Resort Convention Center in Sanya, Hainan, China from the 2nd to the 6th of December 2024, and is co-hosted by the China National Seed Trade Association (CNSTA) with support from Sanya City Government and Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City (YZBTSC).
We are happy and excited to announce that we currently have over 1,200 registered delegates. We currently have a total of 1,218 delegates, consisting of 438 voting reps, 751 delegates, 24 accompanying persons and 5 confirmed invited VIP guests. For those who have yet to register, please do so immediately as the Normal Registration Period will end in 2 months, on 30 September.
Also available at this year’s congress will be 204 trading tables (SOLD OUT), 16 semi-private meeting rooms (SOLD OUT), 4 private meeting rooms (SOLD OUT) and 62 regular exhibition booths (SOLD OUT) and 16 super booths (2 super booths remaining).
And with only 3 months until the congress, we highly recommend everyone to hurry to secure their China visa. Especially for delegates coming from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as their visa application process can take up to 2 months. For more information on congress agenda, official floor plan, China Visa & Import Policy, how to register and other congress related details, please visit the official event page here
Mike Kingapayom
APSA Event Manager
APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium
Hurry up to catch the last train. The registration of the “Rapid Access to Successful Tomato Hybrids” project, and “Molecular Breeding - from trait mapping to marker-assisted selection” training will be closed by end of August! If you are interested in these two projects, please don’t miss the last chance.
The 2-year project entitled “Advanced multi-disease resistant tomato lines as a key element for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control whitefly and tomato leaf miner” is open for registration under the 2024 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium. For more details, pls click the link HERE.
If you have any problem or need help from APSA Secretariat, pls contact APSA Technical Program Manager Ms. Xiaofeng Li at xiaofeng@apsaseed.org
Ms. Xiaofeng Li
APSA Partnership Program Manager
Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups
SC International Trade & Quarantines
The SC International Trade & Quarantines committee has been hard at work this quarter. Earlier this month, they convened their third-quarter meeting, focusing on preparations for the upcoming APSA ASC technical sessions in Sanya. These sessions will center on the critical theme of "Moving Quality Seeds Across Borders," addressing the challenges and opportunities in international seed trade. The committee is dedicated to ensuring that these discussions contribute to the development of practical solutions for the seed industry.
In addition, the committee has begun drafting the agenda for the 11th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation, which will take place in Bangkok next year. They have finalized the dates for this important event, which promises to bring together leading experts and NPPOs to discuss and shape the future of phytosanitary standards and practices. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach this significant milestone.
Let us move to an update from Standing Committee on Seed Technology:
The working group of APSA Seed Technology webinar session 3 on seed storage is excited to announce the 2024 APSA Seed Technology Webinar Session 3 to be held on September 20 at 2.00 – 4.00 pm Bangkok time on the theme of the Science of Seed Storage: Innovation & Insights. It is an hounour that the 2 well-known speakers have accepted our invitation, Dr. Fiona Hay, Senior Researcher, Department of Agroecology Crop Genetics & Biotechnology, Aarhus University, Denmark will present on the Storage technologies and practices for maintaining seed quality, while Mr Michel Devarrewaere, 2022 APSA Awardee of the most influential seed technologist in the APAC Seed Sector and Ex East-West Seed Vice President will present on the practical part on the topic of Designing and implementing effective seed storage systems. As our Events Manager mentioned: to view the webinar agenda, speaker profile & abstract and for registration, please visit the official event webpage here
SC IPR & Biodiversity
Although the SC IPR & Biodiversity committee had no formal activities this month, they are actively preparing for their third-quarter meeting scheduled for early next month. The focus of this meeting will be to prepare for the upcoming ASC technical session, which will center on the theme of "Accelerating and Safeguarding Innovation." The committee remains committed to advancing discussions and strategies that benefit APSA members. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and future initiatives.
Next is an update from SIG Field Crops:
This month, the APSA SIG Field Crops and APSA Secretariat made the difficult decision to cancel the APSA Hybrid Rice and Corn Study Tour in Vietnam due to insufficient registrations. We sincerely thank our members for their continuous support of APSA activities. The committee remains committed to moving forward with other initiatives and looks forward to your participation in future events.
Moving to the Special Interest Group on Vegetables and Ornamentals and the Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies or WIC did not have a committee meeting this month. However, they still keep each other updated on the sub-group activities to finalize speakers for ASC Technical sessions and prepare for WIC December meeting. Stay tuned.
The R&D Advisory Group
The R&D AG group warmly welcomed Dr Girish Patil in his first online meeting at the APSA R&D AG quarter 3 meeting.
Dr. Girish S. Patil is an accomplished R&D leader with over 25 years of experience in the agriculture industry. He has successfully introduced and commercialized technologies in Asia, Africa, and tropical regions, focusing on vegetable and field crops. As Vice President of R&D at ACSEN Agriscience, Dr. Patil excels in driving innovation, establishing global collaborations, and developing strategies that enhance profitability for farmers. His work is deeply rooted in creating sustainable agricultural solutions, aligning with his commitment to improving global food security and farmer livelihoods.
The group is excited about the 2 upcoming events next month, one is a physical event and another one is an online event.
First, the APSA Asian Solanaceous & Cucurbits Round Table (ASCRT) working group meets every 2 weeks to update on the event preparation. The event will be to be held on 24 – 26 September in Bangkok, Thailand. It is
one of the excellent PPP collaborations, with around 30 speakers invited from both public and private sectors. Among that, we also invited speakers from Thai universities namely Kasetsart University, Khon Kaen University where we signed MOUs under the University Connect Program, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. We also collaborate with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to conduct a field visit on the last day. Don’t miss to Register this event now!
Second, the 2024 APSA Large Seed Vegetables & Brassicaceae Okra (LSVBO) Thank God It's Friday webinar – Session 3 on cauliflower is scheduled on September 27, 2024. Two prominent speakers have agreed to join this webinar. Stay tuned for more info on the event page here
The Disease Resistance Terminology Working Group or DRT,
The bitter gourd powdery mildew subgroup are updating each other on the process to send seeds to in-country and out of country members. On another note, the watermelon fusarium wilt subgroup is on the last stage to dispatch seeds to 4 members outside Thailand. Stay tuned!
The Standing Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation
The PBI webinar was successfully held on Aug 13. 2-3pm BKK time, more than 70 participants joined the session. Dr. Khaoula, the Regulatory Affairs Manager of the International Seed Federation (ISF) gave the participants a Regulatory Oversight of Plant Breeding Innovation, and shared the Trends and Challenges around PBI.
This is all for now for the short SC/SIG updates. Thank you very much and stay tuned for more updates next month.
Kunaporn Phuntunil
APSA Technical Coordination Manager
AustraliaHeavy rain devastates Queensland strawberry crops: August 26: Millions of dollars' worth of strawberries have been lost after four days of heavy rainfall in south-east Queensland,. . .
Tomato virus detected in Australia for the first time: August 26: The exotic Tomato brown rugose fruit virus has been detected at two properties in the northern Adelaide Plains region, marking the first confirmed case in Australia. . . .
More from Australia seed industry news
BangladeshSummer tomato cultivation gains traction: August 25: The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute has developed the Bari-8 variety of summer tomato, now being cultivated commercially across different districts. . . .
Flood damage assessment and rehabilitation: August 24: Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has called for an immediate assessment of agricultural damage in flood-affected areas and the swift implementation of rehabilitation measures. . . .
Extensive T-Aman paddy cultivation planned for Gaibandha: August 18: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has launched a plan to cultivate T-Aman paddy on 133,020 hectares across Gaibandha . . .
Floods devastate 337,000 hectares: August 25: Ongoing flash floods have severely impacted 337,000 hectares of cropland in eight regions of Bangladesh, including Chittagong, Cumilla, and Sylhet, with over 45% of Aman paddy fields submerged in some areas. . . .
More from Bangladesh seed industry news
Cambodia
Drought Threatens Dry Season Rice in Kampong Cham: August 15: Over 300 hectares of dry season rice in Kampong Cham’s Cheung Prey and Batheay districts are suffering from water shortages, with at least 40 hectares already damaged. Provincial authorities are responding by releasing water from the Teuk Cha irrigation system and preparing seeds for replanting. While recent rain has provided some relief, officials warn that crops could be at serious risk if the dry spell continues for another week. Source
Kampong Thom Rice Crop Devastated by Floods: August 7: Kampong Thom province has been the hardest hit by recent flash floods, with over 50% of 6,806 hectares of rice fields affected. . . .
More from Camnodia seed industry news
ChinaExtreme Weather Causes Rise in Produce Prices: August 22: Produce prices in China have surged over the past two months due to extreme weather, including floods and scorching heat, which have devastated millions of acres of farmland. . . .
China Achieves 'Historic Breakthrough' in Agricultural Self-Reliance: August 14: China reported the world's largest collection of agricultural germplasm resources in the first half of 2024, with 139,000 new crop varieties and 1.19 million livestock, poultry, and aquatic genetic materials added to its collection. . . .
USD 14 Billion to Aid Flood-Hit Agricultural Regions: August 13: China's central bank will provide an additional 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) to support flood-affected regions after extreme weather devastated around 6 million acres of crops. . .
Boosting Grain Production Through Innovation: August 10: Major agricultural provinces in southwest China, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, have ramped up grain production through advanced agricultural technologies and improved land management practices. . . .
More from China seed industry news
India2024 Kharif Season Crop Sowing Growth: August 27: Kharif crop sowing is up by over 2% from the previous year according to the agriculture ministry, supported by active monsoon rainfall across the country. . . .
Soybean Prices Plunge Raising Concerns: August 27: Soybean prices across several Indian states have seen a sharp decline in August, with average prices dropping by 6.35% month-on-month and 4.54% year-on-year. . . .
National Conference Focuses on Boosting Data Accuracy: August 23: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare held a national conference to discuss strategies for improving crop production statistics, with a focus on integrating technology for data accuracy, including geotagged plot-level data. . . .
Satellite-Based Krishi-DSS Portal for Farmers Launched: August 17: The Indian government has launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (K-DSS), a satellite-based geospatial platform designed to assist farmers with crucial information on weather, groundwater levels, soil health, and more. . . .
Cotton Cultivation Declines: August 9: India's cotton area under cultivation has decreased by 10-12% this season, dropping from 12.7 million hectares last year to 10.8 million hectares, according to Cotton Association of India president Atul S. Ganatra.. . .
More from India seed industry news
IndonesiaExpands Planting Area to Combat Global Food Crisis: August 26: Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the implementation of the Planting Area Expansion (PAT) program to address the global food crisis.. . .
New Rice Fields Planned in Borneo for Food Security: August 23: The government plans to create 500,000 hectares of new rice fields to enhance food security and support the future capital city, Nusantara.
More fromIndonesia seed industry news. .
Japan Japan Faces Rice Shortage Amid Rising Demand: August 26: Concerns over a rice shortage are growing in Japan, with empty supermarket shelves and rising demand fueled by a recent advisory warning of a potential megaquake along the Nankai Trough. . . .
More from Japan seed industry news
KoreaRice paddies in South Korea hit record low in 2024: August 27: The size of rice paddies in South Korea fell by 1.5 percent year-on-year to an all-time low in 2024, according to data from Statistics Korea. . . .
Climate Change Spurs Subtropical Crop Farming: August 11: Warmer temperatures due to climate change are enabling South Korean farmers to successfully grow subtropical crops such as bananas. . . .
More from Korea seed industry news
MalaysiaSevere Caterpillar Infestation Hits Paddy Fields in Perli: August 27: Paddy fields under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) in Perlis are facing a severe infestation of leaf roller moth caterpillars, damaging crops and stunting growth.. . .
Malaysia Eyes Export of ‘Kampung’ Durians to China: August 27: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is in talks with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) to export fresh 'kampung' durians to meet high demand. . . .
More from Malaysia seed industry news
Nepal
Agricultural Science and Technology Park Launched: August 28: Nepal's Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park was inaugurated at the Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan. . .
Paddy Planting Nearly Completed: August 17: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development reported that 98% of paddy transplantation has been completed across Nepal. . .
Mountain Farmers Struggle with Climate Change: August 10: Himalayan farmers are at the forefront of the climate crisis, dealing with extreme weather, droughts, and floods. Despite generations of resilience, climate change has intensified challenges, . . .
More from Nepal seed industry news
New Zealand
Experts Call for Continued Vigilance of Velvetleaf Infestation: August 25: Velvetleaf infestations have resurfaced on two Waikato properties, signaling the need for farmers to remain vigilant. Velvetleaf seeds, viable for up to 50 years, can spread rapidly and devastate crops.. . .
Earthworm eDNA Test Transforms Soil Health Monitoring: August 22: A groundbreaking earthworm eDNA test has been introduced in New Zealand, offering a new way to assess soil health. Developed in collaboration with AgResearch, this innovative test measures . . .
Nearly 30-year Ban on Gene Technology Set to End: August 13: New Zealand is set to end its nearly 30-year ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) outside the lab, with new legislation to be introduced by the end of the year. . . .
More from New Zealand seed industry news
Pakistan
Extreme Weather Slashes Cotton Production: August 27: Severe temperatures have severely impacted cotton crops in Punjab and Sindh, leading to a sharp decline in production. . . .
Sindh Facing Potential Cotton Seed Shortage: August 22: Public and private research institutions are sounding the alarm over a potential cotton seed shortage in Sindh next year. . . .
Calls for Overhaul of Seed Approval System in Punjab: August 16: Participants in the 59th Punjab Seed Council (PSC) meeting urged an overhaul of the province's seed approval system, calling for collaboration between private and public sector stakeholders. . . .
Drone Technology Crucial for Boosting Crop Productivity: August 8: The Pakistan-China Joint Lab for AI and Smart Agriculture at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad is advancing pilot projects to promote drone technology in agriculture, with over 600 farmers participating so far. . . .
More from Pakistan seed industry news
PhilippinesFall Armyworm Infestation Spreads Across Negros Oriental: August 23: The fall armyworm infestation has spread to 22 of 25 towns and cities in Negros Oriental, affecting 7,586 hectares of corn, according to the Department of Agriculture. . . .
Locust Infestation Threatens Negros Oriental: August 14: Department of Agriculture personnel in Negros Oriental are intensifying efforts to contain a locust infestation affecting sugarcane and corn fields in the towns of Siaton and Pamplona. . . .
Tomato Prices Plunge, Farmers Forced to Dump Produce: August 13: Tomato prices have dropped significantly in the Philippines, from a high of USD 3.50 per kilo to as low as USD 1.40 per kilo. . . .
More from Philippines seed industry news
Sri LankaFertilizer Subsidy to Boost Rubber Production: August 28: The Sri Lankan government has announced a new fertilizer subsidy program for rubber cultivators to boost rubber yields, which have fallen from. . .
Breakthrough In Fight Against Rubber Leaf Spot Disease: August 28: The Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute has achieved 80 percent success in chemical research aimed at controlling the circular leaf spot disease, which has been spreading across key rubber-growing regions. . . .
More from Sri Lanka seed industry news
ThailandAgricultural Community Pioneers Smart Farming: August 27: The Mae Moh Agricultural Community in Lampang Province has adopted modern and sustainable farming practices. . . .
Farmers Brace For Potential Flood Damage: August 27: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has adjusted the 2024/2025 off-season rice schedule, urging farmers in the lower Chao Phraya basin to begin . . .
50 Tonnes Of Rice in Aid to Flood-Hit Northern Farmers: August 23: Thailand's Department of Rice, in partnership with three rice associations, has donated 50 tonnes of rice and 2,000 survival bags to farmers in northern provinces ravaged by recent floods. . . .
Chia Tai Executive Wins Senior Plant Breeder Award: August 16: Chia Tai Seed announced that Ms. Jarunee Buaboocha, Assistant Vice President of Research and Development, has been honored with the 2024 Outstanding Senior Plant Breeder Award by the Plant Breeding and Multiplication Association of Thailand. . . .
Transforming Premium Rice Into High-Value Products: August 14: Thailand's Rice Department is intensifying its focus on turning premium rice into high-value products by enhancing processing capabilities . . .
More from Thailand seed industry news
Turkiye
New Three-Year Support Model For Plant Production: August 29: Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that for the first time, plant production supports will be determined for a three-year period, . . .
Hemp cultivation begins in Izmir with legal oversight: August 28: Hemp cultivation has begun in Helvacı District, Izmir, across 2.2 hectares using the Narlı variety of hemp seeds. . . .
Gov’t to Lease Unused Land to Boost Productivity: August 22: In a bid to enhance agricultural productivity, Türkiye's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry will lease out lands that have not been cultivated for two consecutive years. . .
More from Turkiye seed industry news
VietnamSustainable Agricultural Value Chains Crucial For Success: August 29: At a forum on agricultural restructuring in Hanoi, Cao Xuân Thu Vân, chairwoman of the Vietnam Co-operative Alliance, highlighted the importance of . . .
Boosting Yields With High-Tech Farming: August 23: Ninh Thuận Province is advancing its agricultural production by adopting high-tech farming practices to enhance yield and quality. . . .
Gov’t Pushes For Growth In Organic Agriculture: August 17: Organic farming currently represents just 4.3% of Vietnam's agricultural land. . . .
Sustainable Farm Exports Boosted: August 13: The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest fruit export region, is enhancing its sustainable agricultural practices by expanding raw material areas and acquiring growing area codes for traceability. . . .
More from Vietnam seed industry news
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As part of APSA’s sustained digitalization and digitization efforts, in 2023 we’re offering active members even more ways to directly reach Asia-Pacific seed industry decision makers -- in their inbox, on their desktop PCs, laptops, smartphone, tablets, and phablets alike, through our exciting new affiliate, sponsorship, marketing, communication, advertising and publicity opportunities.
We are pleased to announce our 2023 Digital Media Sponsorship Rates and Media Kit:
Don’t hesitate, INQUIRE NOW!
Email: (komsak@apsaseed.org) or Mike (mike@apsaseed.org)
Asian Seed magazine Vol. 30 No.2 (Quarter 2, April - June 2024)
In this second issue of Volume 30 of Asian Seed & Planting Material, we bring you the latest news and updates from the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), as well as the greater APAC and global seed sectors. The issue opens with an address from APSA President Dr. Manish Patel, who reflects on various APSA initiatives over the past quarter and shares his experiences at the ISF World Seed Congress.
APSA Executive Director Francine Sayoc summarizes the association's most timely priorities after returning from Sanya, China, where the executive committee recently met to review progress and preparations for this year’s Asian Seed Congress in December. This issue also includes a wrap-up of the recent APSA-WorldVeg vegetable breeding annual workshop, and summaries from three important meetings that took place in Bangkok in April: the annual midterm meeting of the Working Group for Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies (WIC); the second annual in-person APAC Seed Associations meeting; and APSA's inaugural Regional Workshop on Genetic Resources, Plant Variety Protection, and Biodiversity.
Moreover, we bring you the latest from APSA Technical Affairs and committee activities, along with an exclusive feature on Sanya, China's transformation from a tourist haven to a significant global agricultural hub. Finally, we present a seed trade report with an analysis of import and export receipts for HS 1209 last year, covering all countries and territories in the Asia and Oceanic regions. The magazine concludes with four special tributes in celebration of APSA's 30th Anniversary.
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