Quality Seed | Quality Life
January 2024 Newsletter
Greetings members, and seed industry stakeholders from around the Asia Pacific region and World.
The APSA Secretariat and OB hope everyone is having a productive and positive start to the new year.
Let us first take us take this opportunity to give a big thanks to all of our members and sponsors
To find out more about their offerings and activities, be sure to visit their websites, which you can access by clicking the above links.
All other members looking to enhance their marketing, engagement and outreach, please get in touch with membership coordination manager Mr. Komsak (Bobbie) who has reached out to many of you already.
Speaking of which, thanks to everyone who has already renewed their membership for 2024. Those who haven't please be advised that you have until March 31st to do so. After that, lapsed members will lose access to the APSA Membership Directory and won’t be able to register for our events and activities until dues are paid.
Next, a gentle reminder to register learners for APSA’s Seed Academy 2024 program, a platform we launched last year to provide relevant and timely virtual training, knowledge and capacity building opportunities for seed industry professionals, entrepreneurs and technicians alike.
We currently have 7 programs with 31 modules, which cover everything from seed technology and breeding innovation to IP and phytosanitary affairs and future more programs in 2024. More details are in the email I sent to all members about this earlier this month.
Likewise, we are also taking inquiries and bookings from members interested in advertising on one of our channels as well as through select events. The team will give you more details herein.
As you will have been informed earlier today, we are pleased to announce and welcome our new executive director, Francine Sayoc, whose first day at the helm is tomorrow February 1.
Sincerely Yours,
Akona
APSA AI acting executive assistant
THANK YOU to our digital media sponsors
2024 APSA Large Seed Vegetables & Brassicaceae Okra (LSVBO) Thank God It's Friday
APSA is happy to announce a brand-new webinar series, the 2024 APSA Large Seed Vegetables & Brassicaceae Okra (LSVBO) Thank God It's Friday. This new webinar series will consist of 4 sessions covering large seed vegetables, Brassicaceae and okra in Asia and the Pacific Region and will be held on Friday with the months of March, June, September and November. The first session of the LSVBO TGIF Webinar will be held Friday, 22 March 2024 and will focus on Sweet Corn.
One-Time payment of the registration will allow access to all 4 webinar sessions. Additional benefits include access to APSA Seed Academy Platform in 2024 with certificate of attendance and record of each session and a special 5% discount for the same person to attend the physical 2024 APSA Asian Solanaceous-Cucurbit Roundtable (ASCRT 2024).
For more details regarding registration fee, agenda and how to register, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2024-apsa-lsvbo-tgif
10th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation
The 10th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation will be held in Manila, Philippines on March 5 - 7, 2024, in collaboration with the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), and co-hosted by Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, Philippines, to continue our efforts with the dialogue between phytosanitary regulatory officials and the seed sector to emphasize on the importance of the seed movement across the region. There will be around 50 participants joining this event including NPPOs and seed industry stakeholders.
The first two days of the Expert Consultation will provide a platform to further discuss public private partnership to strengthen the collaboration to address all concerns relating to seed movement across borders. The third day will be a visit of seed health testing laboratory of Philippines NPPO, the Bureau of Plant Industry in Los Banos and seed laboratory of East West Seeds.
Though the event is invite only, for more details regarding event agenda, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/10th-phyto
OTHER SEED INDUSTRY EVENTS
Indian Seed Congress 2024 (Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2024)
The National Seed Association of India (NSAI) is pleased to invite you to the Indian Seed Congress 2024, the 12th edition of the annual Global Seed Industry event which will be organized at The Westin Hotel, Koregaon Park Annexe, in Pune, Maharashtra, India from 28th February- 1st March, 2024. The theme for the upcoming event is “Seeds for Sustainable Agriculture”.
The Indian Seed Congress (ISC) provides for a multi-disciplinary and a vibrant platform for the seed and agri-input industry to interact closely with multiple stakeholders including, scientific and technology development professionals, commercial and business professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs and policy makers. Apart from inaugural and plenary sessions, exhibition and trading tables, the two-day technical sessions which have always been the core attraction of ISC, will enable comprehensive deliberations and discussions on scientific, technological, regulatory and business developments.
This congress will be attended by delegates from nearly 500 national and global seed companies, allied agri-sector companies, members of public and private sector institutions, farmers, and students.
For more details and how to register, please visit https://isc.nsai.co.in/
AFSTA CONGRESS 2024 (March 4 – 6, 2024)
The 24th annual African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress 2024 will be held from the 4th to 6th March 2024 at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Hotel & Resort in Mombasa, Kenya.
The AFSTA congress enables seed people from all over Africa and beyond to network and exchange ideas on what the current situations portend to the future of seed trade and production. It also provides great opportunities for the seed industry stakeholders to network and trade, and also to provide information on the latest policy developments that have the potential to impact seed trade activities in Africa.
The AFSTA Congress is open to both Members and Non-Members. For more details and how to register, please visit https://www.afsta.org/congress/
ISF World Seed Congress 2024 (May 7 – 9, 2024)
The International Seed Federation (ISF) and the Dutch National Organizing Committee (NOC) are preparing a very special congress on 27-29 May 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 2024 is a historic year for ISF as we mark our 100th anniversary. A hundred years ago, visionary seeds men from around the world convened to standardize commercial seed exchanges and promote international cooperation to support the increased international global seed movement. This moment marked the genesis of an organization that would become the voice of the global private seed industry. Join us as we celebrate not only the association’s century-long journey but also the transformative power of seeds to shape a food-secure future.
The Netherlands, a leader in plant breeding, propagation, and seed imports and exports, will gather seed professionals from all over the world for business, trading, exhibition, panel discussions, and plenty of networking opportunities. This congress is not to be missed!
For more details and how to register, please visit https://congress.worldseed.org/
Mike Kingapayom
APSA Event Manager
Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups
And now an update on APSA Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups. Following is a summary review of the APSA SC/SIG activities in the first month of the year:
Starting with the SC Plant Breeding Innovation:
We start the new year with new Standing Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation (SC PBI)! The objective of this new SC is to promote and spread scientific innovations in plant breeding and to ensure that consistent, science and risk-based policies on the new breeding methods are adopted by the regulators in the Asia Pacific Region. The committee consists of 15 members and 3 observers as shown in on APSA website. The first SC PBI was organized on January 17th led by the Co-Chair appointed by APSA Executive Committee, Dr Yang Yasheng (China Seed Association). During the meeting, committee members agreed to nominate Mr Michael Leader (Bayer (South East Asia) Pte Ltd.) to be the Chair of APSA SC PBI. It was an engagement committee meeting and look forward to more activities from this newly appointed SC!
Let us move to an update from Standing Committee on Seed Technology:
The committee eagerly anticipates convening its inaugural meeting in early February. As we embark on a new year, we are optimistic that it will bring forth compelling topics for the APSA Seed Technology Webinar, fostering increased engagement with the APSA Seed Academy program. The enthusiasm within the committee is palpable, as members look forward to collaboratively shaping the agenda and activities that will contribute to the advancement of seed technology knowledge and the success of the APSA Seed Academy initiative.
This year holds great promise for the APSA Seed Technology Webinar, with expectations set high for innovative and insightful discussions. The committee is committed to enhancing the APSA Seed Academy program, seeking to create a dynamic platform that not only disseminates valuable information but also encourages active participation from the seed community
Next is an update from SC IPR & Biodiversity:
The committee warmly welcomed the new Co-Chair, Dr Kwang Hong Lee who is one of the APSA Executive Committee members and has been assigned to be the Co-Chair of the group. The committee first meeting in this year was set on January 17th with the main discussion topic on the preparation for the first annual flagship event of APSA SC IPR & Biodiversity, the APSA IPR & Biodiversity Consultation to be held in Bangkok on April 24-25, 2024. The agenda is under development so we will keep you posted.
Next is an update from the Standing Committee on International Trade & Quarantine:
The committee had the first committee meeting in this year on January 24th to mainly discuss on the preparation of the 10th APSA Phytosanitary Expert Consultation. The consultation is organized in collaboration with the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), and co-hosted by Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, Philippines. The first two days of the Expert Consultation will provide a platform to further discuss public private partnership to strengthen the collaboration to address all concerns relating to seed movement across borders. The third day will be a visit of seed health testing laboratory of Philippines NPPO, the Bureau of Plant Industry in Los Banos and seed laboratory of East West Seeds.
This closed meeting is a flagship event of SC ITQ and we look forward to further enhancing seed movement in the Asia and Pacific Region through this public private partnership. Stay tuned for more details next month!
Next is an update from SIG Field Crops:
In the inaugural meeting of APSA SIG Field Crops for the current year, the committee extended a warm welcome to Mr. Ravi Kumar from ACSEN Agriscience Pvt Ltd., acknowledging him as a valuable addition to their ranks. The committee is actively pursuing the recruitment of additional APSA members committed to contributing to the broader APAC seed sector, inviting like-minded individuals to join their collective efforts. Emphasizing collaboration and shared goals, the committee envisions a diverse and dedicated membership that can drive meaningful advancements in the field crops domain.
Engaging in productive deliberations, the committee charted out plans for key activities in the upcoming year. Notably, discussions centered around organizing a study tour and conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the market size for field crops. These initiatives aim to foster knowledge exchange and industry insights within the APSA community. As the committee looks forward to executing these plans, stakeholders and members are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on these exciting developments within APSA SIG Field Crops.
Moving to the Special Interest Group on Vegetables and Ornamentals
In late January, the committee convened for its initial meeting, focusing on updates from the R&D Advisory group, WIC and DRT sub-groups operating under the purview of SIG V&O. The gathering provided a platform for members to exchange insights and progress reports from these specialized segments, fostering collaboration and synergy among the various facets of the Special Interest Group. Engaging discussions ensued, with participants actively contributing to the discourse surrounding the latest developments within each subgroup, thereby enriching the overall agenda of SIG V&O.
Beyond the subgroup updates, the committee turned its attention to the strategic planning of activities, particularly centering around the forthcoming study tour. Deliberations revolved around crafting an engaging and informative itinerary that aligns with the overarching objectives of SIG V&O. As these plans take shape, stakeholders and enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for further announcements and details regarding this promising endeavor within the SIG V&O community.
The Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies or WIC
The committee agreed to have 2 physical meetings per year. WIC members have booked their calendar for the first meeting scheduled on April 22, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Stay tuned for more updates.
For The R&D Advisory Group,
They already have plans for many activities. During the first meeting on January 23rd , the committee discussed about the preparation of the physical APSA Asian Solanaceous – Cucurbit Roundtable, co-organized with Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA). Besides, they also plan for a webinar series of APSA Large Seed Vegetables & Brassicaceae Okra (LSVBO) Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF) 2024. Stay tuned!
The Disease Resistance Terminology Working Group or DRT,
The first meeting of the group was on January 18th with 2 main discussion topics on how to send bittergourd seeds outside India and reviewing testing protocol. Acsen Agriscience agreed to process on the seed sending to members companies in and outside India.
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
Welcome to Technical Affairs update. The same as before, let’s start with the APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium.
The registration for 2024 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium and its Annual Workshop(CLICK HERE to learn more about the consortium benefits)are ongoing. This year we provide the good benefits as last year to consortium members including15 free exclusive lines, add hybrids in the exclusive lines, more training opportunities, and set up annual meeting for discussing special project ideas. The agenda of the annual workshop will be ready soon.
A special project entitled “Creating Sustainable Markets with Solid Loofah Genetics: WorldVeg's leaf curl virus and downy mildew disease-resistant lines of different market segments essential to develop breakthrough hybrids” was launched under the 2024 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium with 27 members participated in the project.
A Pumpkin Open Field Day will be held on 8-9 February 2024 at WorldVeg’s Research & Training Station at Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand to showcase WorldVeg’s elite breeding lines and F1 hybrids along with the famous commercial checks. Pre-registration is needed, and the registration will be close by Jan 31st. Please click here for more information.
A special field day will be organized on 2 April 2024 to demonstrate the 2023 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium exclusive lines under Indian conditions at the WorldVeg’s South and Central Asia, Hyderabad, India. Participants will be able to view the performance of 10 tomato (dual purpose & fresh market types), 8 pepper (chilli & sweet) lines and 6 bitter gourd F1 hybrids. This is exclusively for the 2023 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium members only. Click here for more information and register.
If you have any problem or need help from APSA Secretariat, pls contact APSA Partnership Program Manager Ms. Xiaofeng Li at xiaofeng@apsaseed.org
Ms. Xiaofeng Li
APSA Partnership Program Manager
Australia's Agricultural Output Surges After Unexpected Rainfall: January 23: Unexpected rainfall in Australia, defying dry El Niño forecasts...
New South Wales Battles Fire Ant Invasion: January 20: New South Wales has introduced a strict biosecurity order to control the spread of fire ants...
Potato Production Still Faces Challenges: January 20: One year after Australia's potato chip shortage, the potato industry still faces challenges...
Hemp Company Innovates with Sustainable Practices and New Markets: December 22, 2023: An Australian hemp company has been capitalizing on new opportunities in the health and wellness sector...
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Bangladesh's Moringa Revolution: January 22: Bangladeshi farmers are increasingly adopting moringa cultivation, a climate-resilient and economically promising crop....
Robust Lentil Harvest Expected in Rajshahi Division: January 4: The Rajshahi division in Bangladesh anticipates a significant lentil yield of approximately 54,101 tonnes from 35,380 hectares....
Bumper Tomato Crop in Cumilla: January 1: Cumilla district in Bangladesh celebrated a bumper tomato harvest this season...
Cyclone Michaung Devastates Potato and Other Crops: December 12, 2023: Cyclone Michaung has caused damage to a wide range of crops...
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Longan Exports Skyrocket in 2023: January 18: Cambodia's longan export market witnessed a massive 500% increase in 2023...
Cover Crops Revolutionize Farming: January 7: Cambodian farmers are embracing cover crops, revolutionizing soil health and agricultural productivity...
Programme Launched to Boost Agri-Exports: December 19: To enhance the country’s agricultural exports...
Rice Seed Group Flourishes with ADB Support: December 11, 2023: In Kampong Thom province a group of farmers have transformed their fortunes...
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Record Grain Output in Jilin Province: January 24: Jilin province in Northeast China achieved a record grain production...
GMO Crop Adoption Accelerating: January 18: China is significantly expanding its use of genetically modified (GMO) crops...
Indigenous Seed Industry Boosted: January 13: China is focusing on developing its indigenous seed industry...
Space Exposure and Gene Editing for Agricultural Innovation: January 10, 2024: China is developing its agricultural technology by selecting a new batch of seed potatoes...
China Grants Licenses for GMO Seed Production in Landmark Move: December 28, 2023: In a significant development, China has issued licenses to 26 domestic seed companies...
China Approves 26 Seed Companies for GMO Corn and Soybeans: December 28, 2023: China has granted licenses to 26 domestic seed companies...
Beijing Dabeinong Receives Approval for GM Herbicide-Tolerant Soybeans in Brazil: November 30, 2023: Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co Ltd announced on November 22 that Brazil has officially approved...
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North India Facing Looming Water Crisis After Dry Spell: January 24: A 6-month drought threatens agriculture and food security in the north of the country...
GM Mustard Case Before Supreme Court: January 18: A recent Supreme Court proceedings regarding genetically modified (GM) mustard...
Orchards a Potential Solution in India’s Northwest: January 8: The northwestern region of a country, known for being a significant food producer, faces a crucial juncture...
Centenary Celebration at Bharat Nursery: January 5: Bharat Nursery Pvt. Ltd. recently celebrated its centenary at ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata...
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Agriculture Minister Highlights Benefits of Modern Farming Techniques: January 24: Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the significant cost reductions...
Farmers Embrace Agroforestry Amid Challenges: January 24: In Indonesia, farmers like Sri Atmiatun in Batutegi, Lampung province, are facing increased fertilizer costs...
Innovative Food Security Initiative in Indonesia Wins Growth Grant: January 23: Kopernik, an organization focusing on addressing food insecurity in West Timor, Indonesia...
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Broccoli to Join Japan's List of Key Designated Vegetables in 2026: January 21: Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has announced the addition of broccoli to its list of important "designated vegetables...
Japan's Shine Muscat Grapes Face Overseas Counterfeits: December 23, 2023: Japanese farmers are grappling with the international challenge of copycat...
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KOREA SEED EXPO 2023 Showcases Growth in Seed Industry: Last October, the K-Seed Valley in Gimje City, Jeollabuk-do Province, Republic of Korea, hosted the Korea Seed Expo 2023...
Innovative Vertical Farming Successfully Trialed For Wasabi Production: January 8: A former investment analyst and home farmer based in Seoul is pioneering wasabi cultivation...
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Monsoon Floods Affect Over 2,000 Farmers: January 20: Malaysia's north-east monsoon floods have impacted 2,095 agro-food farmers...
Pepper Market Braces for Price Hike in 2024: January 2: Malaysia's pepper industry is set to experience a significant price increase in 2024...
El Niño's Impact on Padi Farms: January 22: Malaysia's padi farmers, particularly in Kedah which accounts for 40% of the country's rice production...
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Conserving Nepal’s Agrobiodiversity: January 18: Nepal faces challenges from climate change, urbanization, and modern farming practices...
Chitwan's Mustard Farming Resurgence: January 11: Mustard farming is experiencing a revival in Chitwan District...
Record Paddy Harvest Expected Despite El Niño: January 9: Nepal is set to achieve a record paddy output of 5.72 million tonnes...
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Hass Avocado Season Faces Challenges: January 26: New Zealand's current Hass avocado season has been tough for growers...
Apple Industry Anticipates Recovery from Shortages: January 23: New Zealand's apple industry, recently facing shortages due to Cyclone Gabrielle...
Sweet Potato Growers Optimistic: January 23: Northland's sweet potato growers, particularly in the Kaipara District...
Northland Farmers Battle Fall Armyworm Invasion: December 7, 2023: Northland farmers face a new challenge with the emergence of fall armyworms...
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Regulations Progress for Medical and Industrial Cannabis: 26 Jan: Pakistan is expediting the formation of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA)...
President Advocates forTechnology in Tackling Climate Crisis: Jan 24: At the Regional Dialogue 2024 on “Climate Crisis: Shaping South Asia’s Resilience”...
Rice Exports Soar, Balancing Economic Gain and Food Security Challenges: Jan 20: Pakistan's rice exports have surged by over 76% in the first half of the financial year, reaching USD 1.63 billion...
Hybrid Wheat to Boost Crop Production and Improve Food Security: Jan 13: Pakistan is showing interest in China's hybrid wheat varieties...
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Cold Storage Solutions for Vegetable Farmers: January 28: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is addressing the issue of vegetable crop oversupply...
Revitalizing the Ilocos Red Peanut Industry: January 25: Stakeholders in Northern Luzon are focusing on revitalizing the Ilocos red peanut...
Onion Imports Halted to Stabilize Prices: January 19: The Philippines is temporarily stopping onion imports until M...
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DoA Seminar on Gene Editing: On January 29, The Department of Agriculture, Thailand organized a seminar to discuss the kingdom’s direction in formulating policies related to plant breeding innovation...
EWS receives extended seed testing scope: January 2024: East-West Seed (EWS) is excited to announce the enhancement of its seed health testing capabilities...
Water Shortages Amid Climate Change: January 28: Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics attributes the country's water shortages...
Incentives for Eco-Friendly Sugarcane Harvesting: December 5, 2023: Thailand's mobile cabinet has approved a USD 225 million initiative to encourage sugarcane farmers to harvest without burning crop residue...
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Turkey Seed Summit 2023 Showcases Industry Triumphs and Global Impact: January 1, 2024: Antalya, Turkey - The recently concluded Turkey Seed Summit last December highlighted remarkable growth in the seed industry…
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Vietnam Eyes Significant Agricultural Growth in 2024: Jan 17: Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has announced a growth target of 3.2-4% for the agricultural sector in 2024...
Decrease in Coffee Production for 2023-24 Crop Forecasted: Jan 7: The Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association predicts a decrease in coffee production for the 2023-2024 crop...
Rice Exports Hit Record High Amid Rising Global Demand: Dec 29: Vietnam's rice exports have reached a new milestone, with 7.9 million tons...
Vietnam's Potato Production Revolution: Dec 21: Over 400 farm households in Đơn Dương, Lâm Đồng Province, southern Vietnam, are cultivating potatoes on 500 hectares at 1,000 meters above sea level...
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Australia |
Bangladesh |
Cambodia |
China |
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Indonesia |
Japan |
Korea, South |
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Malaysia |
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Nepal |
New Zealand |
Pakistan |
Philippines |
Singapore |
Sri Lanka |
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Middle East |
International |
As part of APSA’s sustained digitalization and digitization efforts, in 2024 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 2024 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. 29 No.4 (Quarter 4, October - December 2023)
No password required
Volume 29, Issue four of Asian Seed & Planting Material is our annual Congress edition; therefore the content is richly themed around the 2023 Asian Seed Congress hosts, New Zealand. Starting with an address from APSA President Dr. Manish Patel, who reiterates the importance of enabling seed business and trade, a special international news section from Seed World and a round-up of seed industry news from earlier in the year; the issue features a comprehensive vegetable seed trade report covering the export and import of vegetable seeds to and from Asia-Pacific countries. It also features an overview of seed trade for the ASC hosts New Zealand, covering the trade of various types of vegetable, forage and field crop seeds. There is an exclusive interview with the president of the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association president Mrs Charlotte Connoley about her countries challenges and opportunities, which is also addressed from the government sector’s Ministry for Primary Industries.
The 2023 Year In Review Document features facts, figures an details about all of the various activities APSA has organized, participated in and carried out this past year. The document covers the highlights from various activities, including APSA’s in-person and online events, technical webinars, as well as various collaborations, initiatives and projects with members, partners and stakeholders. There are also details, metrics and statistics about APSA’s digital media and website.
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