In this Q1 issue of Asian Seed & Planting Material, we open with the first quarterly address from APSA's incoming President, Mr. Teck Wah Koh, who shares key governance and strategy updates. This is complemented by a letter from the Executive Director’s desk, where Francine Sayoc provides timely updates from the Secretariat.
The issue is packed with regional news, including Seed & Grain New Zealand’s rebranding, a leadership change at the Philippine Seed Industry Association, and key takeaways from the Indian Seed Congress and the National Seed Forum in Hainan, China. We also summarize highlights from the 2024 Asian Seed Congress and insights from the recent Phytosanitary Expert Consultation in Bangkok, which underscored progress in cross-border seed movement collaboration. Readers can also get to know APSA’s Board and new members of APSA technical committees, along with a special feature on women in the Asia-Pacific seed industry, celebrating their wisdom and achievements. Rounding out the issue, we present the latest USDA data on planting and harvesting prospects for key food crops—maize, wheat, and rice—alongside fresh insights into vegetable seed trade trends across Asia and Oceania.