Asian Seed Conference 2023

The Asian Seed Congress is the most significant event on the Asia and Pacific seed industry calendar.

Since its inauguration in 1994 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the annual event has been hosted in numerous key cities in the region, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Brisbane, Shanghai, Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiba, Seoul, Kobe, Macau, Kaohsiung, Manila, Pattaya, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. The exclusive event attracts between 1,200 and 1,700 delegates annually, including key executives, officials, legislators, and scientists who all share a common stake in the development, production, distribution, regulation and trade of quality seeds. The Asian Seed Congress is more than just a meeting of APSA members and industry stakeholders. Featuring technical sessions, host country eld and leisure tours, cultural programs and world-class entertainment and accommodations, the Asian Seed Congress facilitates a prime opportunity for stakeholders to get together in one place for a memorable and energetic week, in which delegates can network, grow their business, and get updated on the latest industry developments and technologies, so as to gain an edge in the most populous and lucrative region in the world. From India to China, Turkey to Australia, Kyrgyzstan to Sri Lanka, Philippines to Pakistan, Thailand to Japan – the people that matter the most in the movement of quality seed across international borders continue to make the Asian Seed Congress a fundamental itinerary on their calendars.

The 28th Asian Seed Congress will be held at theTe Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand from 20 - 24 of November 2023. This Congress is co-organized by the Asia & Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) and the New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) as the official National Organizing Committee

 Registration Closed

If you are interested in registering for the congress, please contact Mr. Komsak (Bobbie) Kamjing at komsak@apsaseed.org or register onsite.

Dr Manish Patel

President

APSA

On behalf of the APSA Executive Committee, I cordially invite all APSA members, associates and stakeholders to join us in  Christchurch, New Zealand this coming November 20th to 24th  for the 2023 Asian Seed Congress.

This will be the 28th iteration of the ASC,  and the first time hosting the Asia-Pacific’s premier seed industry meeting in New Zealand. Hosting Asia-Pacific’s premier seed industry meeting in this south pacific island nation is long overdue. New Zealand is a regional and global leader in the production and export of various vegetable and horticultural crop seeds and has consistently maintained strong representation at APSA events and activities over the years.

As some of our members saw firsthand during an APSA Study Tour there back in 2015, New Zealand is a model country in terms of its effective private-private and public-private engagement and cooperation that reinforces a balanced science-based and business-friendly policy.

This is very important for APSA and our members, and as an association and the dozens of countries we represent, we continue to benefit from strong cooperation with the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association and the Ministry of Primary Industries, and we anticipate this to get only stronger as we count the days to Congress in Christchurch.

Above all else, New Zealand is also a fitting host country for this year’s congress as a desirable tourism and leisurely destination. Indeed, this was one of the deciding factors in deciding the next ASC host country, and with its ideal climate, unique history, friendly people and breathtaking landscapes, New Zealand shall not disappoint ASC delegates and their accompanying guests and families.

Hence, I speak with confidence to predict that this coming Asan Seed Congress will be among the most popular and memorable to date, and hereby welcome all to join us, and be a witness to this new chapter in APSA’s history. See(d) you in Christchurch!

Dr Kanokwan (May) Chodchoey

Executive Director

APSA

On behalf of the APSA Secretariat, I would like to welcome all APSA members, associates, and stakeholders to the 28th Asian Seed Congress, which is being held for the first time in Christchurch, New Zealand, from the 20th to 24th November 2023. Our National Organizing Committee for this year is the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA). We are both excited to have this prestigious opportunity to host our flagship event for seed trade in the region and around the world.

This year, we are introducing new programs to encourage women in the seed industry and young professionals who are starting their careers in seeds to exchange ideas and network during the congress week. Additionally, we will be providing great discussion forums on key important topics such as Essential Derived Varieties, phytosanitary affairs, plant breeding innovation, technology demonstration, and more. Our venue is in a beautiful scenic city, and all of you are invited to join our Charity Fun Run. We hope that all delegates can get the most out of their business during the congress while also having time to enjoy the city of Christchurch. We also invite and encourage our delegates to support our ongoing #SayNoToSeedPiracy campaign as it is crucial to achieving APSA’s mission.

Thank you very much, and we hope to see you in Christchurch!

Charlotte Connoley

President

NZGSTA

Kia ora and nau mai ki te otautahi

On behalf of the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association, I am thrilled to welcome you all to New Zealand and to the 28th Asian Seed Congress!

Our New Zealand members are looking forward to the opportunity to host our business associates and their partners from all over the world for a fabulous week of networking, events, education and collaboration.

The APSA committee have once again put together a program that showcases the seed industry at it’s very best! This is a wonderful time to be involved in horticulture and agriculture and the program ahead will give delegates the opportunity to hear about innovation, research, technology, reconnect with business partners, establish business and create new friendships.

Our post conference tours will give delegates a first-hand experience of our world class seed industry all whilst viewing the grandeur of the Canterbury landscapes. As hosts we wish that all delegates take the opportunity to explore our beautiful country of New Zealand.

I look forward to meeting with many of you during Congress. Please ask for assistance from any of our New Zealand team to ensure your experience at congress and beyond exploring New Zealand is memorable. All the best for a successful Congress and I wish you safe travels home.

Mr Thomas Chin

General Manager

NZGSTA

On behalf of New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association I am pleased to cordially invite you, our APSA delegates to Christchurch, New Zealand for 2023 Asian Seed Congress. We are delighted to be co-hosting this prestigious international convention at the City’s new, world class Convention Centre venue in the heart of the city. Christchurch is the centre for New Zealand’s production of both arable and vegetable seeds. Located nearby Christchurch are Universities and Government Research Institutes with a strong agriculture and horticulture research focus, including seed research. New Zealand is recognised globally as a leading producer, processor and exporter of high-quality seed for a wide range of crops. Our industry is innovation focused utilising grower expertise, leading practices and state of the art technologies throughout seed production processes. This is the first time APSA has come to New Zealand and will be a great opportunity to accelerate your business, meet and talk all things seed from across the world with colleagues, friends and industry professionals. Christchurch offers you a memorable experience and we look forward to welcoming you all at ASC 2023.

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ASC 2022 Highlights

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Asian Seed Congress?

The Asian Seed Congress is APSA’s flagship event, held annually in a host country within the Asia-Pacific region. The event is organized jointly by APSA and the host country's National Organizing Committee, and steered by the national seed association in the host country.

It is a members-and-invitation-only event featuring a trade exhibition, private and semi-private meeting rooms, trading tables, technical sessions, local tours, culture and entertainment programs. The week-long Congress is initiated by an all-day Pre-Congress Workshop focusing on a new theme every year, and officially concludes with APSA’s General Assembly Meeting.

There is also a Post-Congress Tour offered for members to visit seed production and processing facilities in the host country. Previous editions of the Asian Seed Congress were held in Bangkok, Incheon, Goa, Macau, Kobe, Bali, Pattaya, Kaohsiung, Hyderabad, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiba, Japan, Bangalore, Jakarta, Brisbane New Delhi and Chiang Mai.

How do you become a host country for the Asian Seed Congress?

To become a host country for the Asian Seed Congress, the National Seed Association of the country must first being active member of APSA under the seed association category.

APSA will officially send out a communication regarding the call out for the Asian seed congress proposal. Within this communication will be details regarding the guidelines of said proposal. The Proposal from seed association must be submitted along with the Expression of Interest to host the conference. The proposal must include information that demonstrates the ability and/or commitment to meet the requirements listed within the ASC Hosting Guidelines (which will be shared to the member upon request). This letter should be made, in writing to the Secretariat before May 1st, two years prior to the hosting of the Congress.

All proposals for the hosting of the Asian Seed Congress (ASC) will be reviewed by a selection panel that will make recommendations to the APSA Executive Committee, based on agreed upon criteria and applied scores. The decision of which proposal will be accepted will be officially announced during the annual general meeting 2 years prior. For more details, please contact Events Manager at mike@apsaseed.org

How can I attend the Asian Seed Congress?

Only employees from ACTIVE Member Companies can attend the Asian Seed Congress. To register for the congress, members must register themselves via the Congress Registration Event Page. Delegates are responsible for their own delegate registration fee, airfare, travel expenses and hotel accommodations.

Early-Bird Registration starts May 1, Normal Registration starts July 1 and Late Registration starts October 1.

Delegate Registration details

Members can register themselves as Full delegates, Accompanying Person or Booth Exhibitor.

Delegates have access to all areas of the Asian Seed Congress. They can enter the Trading Table area, the Exhibition Zone, participate in the Congress Workshop and all Technical Sessions, attend the Annual General Meeting and all Social events which include the Inaugural Ceremony, Welcome Cocktail Party and the Grand Banquet. Delegates also have the benefit of dining at the Congress Sponsored Buffet Lunch and Coffee Breaks.

Accompanying Persons should be strictly limited to those who DO NOT have business participation in the congress, such as spouses, partners and/or children of delegates. Accompanying Persons are not allowed to enter the Trading Table Area, Meetings Rooms nor the Exhibition Area. They also cannot attend the Congress Workshop, Technical Sessions nor the Annual General Meeting. They are entitled to a complimentary tour of the host country arranged by NOC, a sponsored lunch, and able to attend all social events which includes include the Inaugural Ceremony, Welcome Cocktail Party and the Grand Banquet. Accompanying Persons are not allowed to dine at the Congress Sponsored Buffet Lunch and Coffee Breaks.

Booth Exhibitors are for persons who will supervise their company’s Exhibition Booths. They are allowed only within the Exhibition Area and cannot enter the Trading Table Area or the Meeting Rooms. They cannot participate in the Congress Workshop nor any Technical Sessions. They cannot attend any Social Event but is allowed to dine at the Congress Sponsored Buffer Lunch and Coffee Breaks.

Trading Table Details

Every year at the Asian Seed Congress, one area is designated for Trading Tables. This area allows for Face-to Face Business meetings between members. There are usually 200 tables available each year, selling at the price of $650 USD per table. Each company can book a maximum of 3 tables, and can be done once Congress Registration opens on the 1 st of May.

The Trading Table area is open for 4 days, Monday – Thursday. Only full delegates are allowed within the Trading Table Area.

Exhibition Booth details

Another area of the Asian Seed Congress is designated for Exhibition Booths. In this area members can easily promote their product and/or services. There is usually a minimum of 30 booths within this area, consisting of 2 types of booths, Regular Booths and Super Booths. Regular Booths are 3 meters by 3 meters whereby Super Booths are 6 meters by 6 meters. Members also have the opportunity to register a Booth Exhibitor to help supervise their booth. (For more details regarding Booth Exhibitors, please see Delegate Registration for more details).

Congress Workshop & Technical Session Details

The Congress Workshop is usually held on the first day on the Congress. Technical Sessions are usually held on the second and third day of the Congress. Participation is free for all delegates and no pre-registration is required. For Congress Workshop and Technical Session Agenda and details, please view within Program Tab.

Annual General Meeting details

The Annual General Meeting is where members attend to discuss and vote on important matters and issues regarding the association. One membership has one voting right and the voting representative has to be updated 40 days before AGM. It is also where election for the Executive Committee takes place. The Annual General Meeting usually takes place in the afternoon of the fourth day of the Congress.

Social Events

There is a total of 3 Social Events during the congress, the Inaugural Ceremony, the Welcome Cocktail Party and the Grand Banquet. The Inaugural Ceremony is where the official opening of the congress takes place. The Welcome Cocktail Party is where delegates come to relax and network with each other. The Grand Banquet is the official closing of the congress. Delegates and Accompanying Persons can attend.

Post Congress Tour details

The Post Congress Tour takes place on the last and final day of the congress and are organized by the National Organizing Committee. Here delegates have the opportunity to visit Local Seed Companies, participate in Field Trials. Delegates who are interested in attending the Post Congress Tour must first register and pay. For more details, please visit on the Post Congress Tour webpage within the Program Tab

Congress Sponsorship details

There are 3 Sponsorship Levels for the Asian Seed Congress; Gold, Silver and Bronze. Companies that wish to become sponsors must first be an Active APSA Member. If the company is located within the host country, payment for sponsorship must be made to the National Organizing Committee. For companies located outside the host country, payment must be made directly to APSA. Each sponsorship category has different benefits and price, where details can be viewed at the official Asian Seed Congress website.

For more details on ASC 2023 Sponsorship, please CLICK HERE