January 2025 Newsletter
Hello to our Members and Partners from around the region and beyond,
I’d like to wish you all a happy new year – it’s 2025! – and a happy Lunar new year as well to our colleagues who celebrate.
This is the first newscast of the year, and with every new beginning of the year, there is a lot of fresh energy and excitement.
And there are plenty of reasons to be excited because it’s going to be a year filled with activities.
But before we jump into that, I’d like to take quick look back at the highlights of the previous year. If you remember, it was our 30th anniversary and what a celebration it was. To me, two things stood out: a record-breaking congress in Sanya with 1,900 people in attendance, and the launch of our Strategic Roadmap for the next three years. Why is that important? It’s because we have set a clear vision and are mapping out the actions we need to do, to make an even greater impact as an association.
Onwards to 2025, we are looking at an action-filled year. We are organizing three flagship consultations on three topics: phytosanitary matters, PVP and biodiversity, and plant breeding innovation. The idea of these yearly consultations is to have regular dialogue with government and regulators, and to arrive at a better understanding of the impact of policies and regulations on the work of the seed sector. We emphasize the need for consistent, predictable and science-based policies to be able to innovate and make quality seed available to all farmers.
For our members, we have planned many knowledge programs in the form of webinars and workshops this year. Check the APSA website for the schedule of these webinars and don’t miss out on the opportunity to hone your expertise. Seed Academy will have a new interface and industry-recognized certification, so watch out for its relaunch. We are also activating our University Connect network to broaden our reach to students and young talents in the agriculture sector.
Internally, we are focusing on developing our Secretariat and building financial strength to be able to accomplish our lofty ambitions. The only way we will achieve our vision is by having the right and sufficient resources in place.
Finally, you may start noticing a few updates to our look and feel. APSA has refreshed its branding, as we seek to embody a modern, professional and dynamic association.
Stay tuned for more updates from the rest of the team!
The APSA Secretariat
THANK YOU to our digital media sponsors
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2025 APSA Seed Technology Webinar – Session 1
Due to its popularity, APSA will once again be holding the APSA Seed Technology Webinar Series in 2025. Session 1 will be held on Friday the 21st of February 2025 and will focus on “The Use if AI in the Seed Industry” and with a total of 3 guest speakers. Registration is now open. For more details, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2025-apsa-seed-technology-webinar-session-1
2025 APSA Breed Better TGIF Webinar – Session 1
APSA is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the all-new 2025 APSA "Breed Better: Thank God It’s Friday" Webinar Series. Exclusively for APSA members, this exciting series offers four expertly curated sessions, providing invaluable insights into the latest trends and advancements in vegetable breeding and cultivation across the Asia-Pacific region. Session 1 will be held on Friday, 28th of March and will focus on Legumes with 4 guest speakers.
Don't miss the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and enhance your expertise. For more details and registration, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2025-apsa-breed-better-tgif-webinar
Horti Asia Next 2025 & VIV Asia 2025
VIV Asia is the biggest and most complete seed to food event in Asia, dedicated to the world of livestock production, animal husbandry and all related sectors, from seed, to feed production, to animal farming, breeding, veterinary, animal health solutions, processing of meat, fish, shrimp, egg, dairy products and more. VIV Asia will be held alongside Meat Pro Asia and HortiAgri Next Asia.
Horti Agri Next (HAN) is a trade show and exhibition covering every aspect from upstream to downstream: outdoor and indoor farming types, soil preparation, seeding, growing, crop protection and nutrition, harvesting, production management, storage and packaging, logistics, and cold chain. This event will bring together growers, investors, dealers, distributors, ag cooperatives, food manufacturers and processors, exporters, and technology providers – from seed to food.
HORTI AGRI NEXT ASIA 2025 will be held from 12 - 14 March 2025 at IMPACT, Bangkok, Thailand.
As APSA is one of the supporting partners for this event, APSA Member Companies interested in registering as an exhibitor will be offered a special 10% discount. You can also attend the event as a visitor and experience HAN Asia 2025. Registration is free until 23:59h (BKK Time) on March 11, 2025. After that there is a fee of 15 Euros.
And please don’t forget to drop by the APSA booth and attend the special panel session organized by APSA on the seed sector’s role and opportunities in the food value chain (schedule TBC).
For more details, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/horti-agri-next-asia-2025
Naktuinbouw afdeling R&D
NEW Course: Developing and Validating Seed Health Assays
APS Seed Pathology Series
Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups
SC International Trade & Quarantines
The SC ITQ held its first committee meeting in January to plan the activities of the year. The group will also continue to advocate burning issues related to international trade and policy all year round. The APSA Flagship event of the 11th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation will be held soon on February 25 – 26, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The SC ITQ kicked off its planning for 2025 with a productive first committee meeting in January. A primary focus was on initiatives that support and facilitate the global trade of high-quality seeds, directly aligning with APSA's overarching mission.
Looking ahead to a key event in 2025, the APSA Flagship event, the 11th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation, is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from February 25-26. The two-day consultation will provide a platform for further discussion of the Public-Private Partnership to strengthen the collaboration and address all concerns relating to the seed movement across borders. It is expected that more than 25 National Plant Protection Officers (NPPOs) from 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region along with global seed sector experts will participate in the consultation. The consultation will provide the opportunity to discuss the small-scale movement of seeds for research purposes and field inspection accreditation under ISPM45 among other important topics. The officers from the participating countries will highlight key developments in their countries and the seed sector experts will share the best practices for some of the consultation topics. The APSA International Trade and Quarantine (ITQ) standing committee is the organizer of this consultation which like-minded organizations also support.
Let us move to an update from Standing Committee on Seed Technology:
The APSA Seed Technology Committee has been actively coordinating via email even before their first quarterly meeting, ensuring a strong start for the APSA Seed Technology Webinar Series—the first in this year’s lineup of knowledge-sharing webinars.
Join us for the APSA Seed Technology Webinar – Session 1: The Use of AI in the Seed Industry on February 21, 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00 ICT (GMT+7). This engaging session will delve into how AI is revolutionizing the seed sector, from enhancing breeding strategies to optimizing seed production and quality assessment. Featuring renowned experts like Arnab Gupta (Wageningen University & Research), Krishna Kumar (Cropin), and more, the webinar will showcase cutting-edge AI applications shaping the future of agriculture. Stay tuned—registration opens soon!
Additionally, the committee is actively planning key initiatives, including the APSA Seed Academy Program, ISTA Workshop, ASC 2025 Technical Session, Techno-Commercial Demonstration, and the InnoTech Showcase. More updates to follow next month!
SC IPR & Biodiversity
The Standing Committee for IPR & Biodiversity (SC IPR&BIO) also held its first meeting of the year in January, laying the groundwork for a busy and productive 2025. A key focus of the meeting was the planning of another important APSA flagship event, the 2nd APSA PVP&ABS Expert Consultation. Discussions revolved around the consultation's objectives, agenda, and potential participants, ensuring it will be a valuable forum for experts to address critical issues related to plant variety protection (PVP) and access and benefit-sharing (ABS). The committee recognized the importance of this consultation in fostering a deeper understanding of these complex topics within the seed industry and promoting future proof policies to their implementation.
Beyond the expert consultation, the SC IPR&BIO also discussed several other key initiatives for the year. The committee explored the development of educational materials, such as a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) fact sheet, to provide clear and concise information to stakeholders. They also brainstormed potential topics for the technical session at the upcoming ASC2025, aiming to address current challenges and opportunities related to IPR and biodiversity. Furthermore, the committee considered the possibility of hosting a webinar to further disseminate knowledge and engage with a broader audience on relevant issues.
The Standing Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation
The Standing Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation (SC PBI) held its first meeting of the year, marking the beginning of its planning process for 2025. Similar to other APSA committees, the SC PBI members dedicated their initial meeting to outlining key activities and priorities for the coming year. A significant focus of their discussions centered around the upcoming 1st APSA PBI Expert Consultation. The committee explored potential topics, speakers, and logistical arrangements for this important event, recognizing its crucial role in fostering dialogue and understanding on the latest advancements and challenges in plant breeding innovation. The consultation promises to be a valuable platform for experts and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and perspectives on this rapidly evolving field.
Beyond the expert consultation, the SC PBI also identified other key areas of focus for 2025. The committee will dedicate significant effort to policy and advocacy work related to plant breeding innovation. This will involve monitoring regulatory developments, engaging with policymakers, and advocating for future-proof policies that support the responsible development and deployment of new breeding technologies. Recognizing the importance of capacity building, the SC PBI also plans to organize webinars throughout the year. These webinars will aim to provide members with up-to-date information on regulatory frameworks, and best practices, empowering them to effectively navigate the evolving landscape of plant breeding innovation.
Next is an update from SIG Field Crops:
The Special Interest Group (SIG) for Field Crops held a productive meeting in mid-January, establishing its plan of action for 2025. A primary focus was the development of the APSA Field Crops webinar series. Two timely topics have been proposed: "Soil Health" in April and "Carbon Credit Management in Field Crops and Climate Change" in August. Further details about these informative webinars will be released soon. Beyond webinars, the committee explored the possibility of organizing a study tour in conjunction with the Asian Seed Congress in India. Discussions also centered around potential collaborations with CGIAR following the signing of MOUs, aiming to leverage synergies and expertise for the benefit of the field crops sector.
The SIG Field Crops committee is eager to expand its membership and invites individuals with a strong interest in contributing to the Asia-Pacific field crops seed sector to join. This is a valuable opportunity to engage with industry leaders, shape the future of field crops seed production, and contribute to addressing key challenges and opportunities in the region.
Moving to the Special Interest Group on Vegetables and Ornamentals
The committee will have its first quarterly meeting in early next month, following the Lunar New Year celebrations. The committee is enthusiastic about implementing its planned activities for the year, including a study tour and an ISTA Workshop. More details about these initiatives will be shared next month.
The Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies or WIC has scheduled two physical meetings for 2025, one in June and the other in December. The June meeting is tentatively planned for Indonesia and will be held in conjunction with one of APSA's flagship events. The WIC subgroup will also continue its engagement with the University Connect Program, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between academia and the seed industry.
The Disease Resistance Terminology Working Group (DRT):
The Disease Resistance Terminology (DRT) Working Group has exciting updates to share. The watermelon fusarium wilt subgroup has received their watermelon seeds and, having finalized the testing protocol, are now conducting the ring test. We eagerly anticipate the results of this important research. Meanwhile, the bitter gourd powdery mildew subgroup is working diligently to secure an extension agreement with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) of India. Upon approval, the necessary phytosanitary certificates can be requested, paving the way for further research and development.
For the R&D Advisory Group,
The APSA R&D Advisory Committee on Vegetables & Ornamentals held a productive first meeting in late January, charting the course for its activities in 2025 and beyond. A key outcome of this meeting was the development of "Breed Better," a new webinar series expanding on the successful TGIF webinars and designed to address critical aspects of vegetable crop improvement. Focusing on biotic and abiotic stress challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, this series will provide valuable insights for vegetable breeders and growers. The first webinar, featuring legumes, will be held on March 28th.
This exclusive, four-session webinar series, available only to APSA members, offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in vegetable breeding advancements across the Asia-Pacific region. "Breed Better" will explore the latest trends and breakthroughs, providing practical knowledge and expertise. Click here for more details and registration. Click here for more details.
Looking ahead, the committee also discussed potential special research projects and began preliminary planning for a physical Solanaceae/Cucurbitaceae (ASCRT) Roundtable in 2026. More information on these initiatives will be shared as it becomes available.
APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium
The registration of the consortium’s special project entitled “Developing new markets with better okra genetics: WorldVeg begomovirus resistant lines with improved horticultural traits to breed breakthrough F1 hybrids” is now closed, gaining a great interest from companies with maximum number of 40 companies joining. The project duration will begin from Feb 1st, 2025, to Jan 31st, 2027.
Besides, the 2025 APSA WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium is now open for registration. Join the APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium and discover how exposure to the latest research and closer contact with international breeders and scientists will change the way you do breeding and business. Click here for more info.
This is all for now for the short SC/SIG updates. Thank you very much and stay tuned for more updates next month.
Sanya Shines as APAC Seed Capital with Record Turn-Out for 2024 Asian Seed Congress
December 6, 2024, Sanya, China: The 2024 Asian Seed Congress (ASC) concluded in Sanya with a record-breaking attendance of more than 1,800 delegates from over 50 countries and territories. This turnout surpasses previous benchmark Congresses, including those held in Kuala Lumpur in 2019 and Macau in 2014, both of which drew record-breaking numbers of around 1,500–1,600 participants.
Co-organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) and the China National Seed Trade Association, the event was made possible through collaboration with the Sanya City and Hainan Provincial Governments and support from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. This landmark gathering reaffirmed the Asian Seed Congress’s position as the premier platform for the seed industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
To read full briefs, click the respective flag below to bring you to national seed industry news landing page:
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Asian Seed magazine Vol. 30 No.4 (Quarter 4, 2024)
In this Q4 issue of the magazine, we have featured content dedicated to the 2024 Asian Seed Congress, being held in Sanya, China from 2-6 December.
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