Quality Seed | Quality Life
July 2023 Newsletter
Greetings APSA members and esteemed seed industry stakeholders,
As we conclude the final weekend of July and embrace the advent of August, APSA Secretariat’s homebase of Thailand is ushering in the traditional Lent period known as 'Khao Pansa,' or the annual 'rains retreat.' This time marks a significant transition when the northwesterly monsoonal forces originating from the South China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean shift to their renewed, dominating southwesterly source at the Indian subcontinent.
For many of the region's agricultural zones, the anticipation of southwesterly torrential rains beckons welcome news, as their residents have depended on the replenishing summer rains from the Indian Ocean since time immemorial. Indeed, millions of Asian farmers this year have been adversely affected by heat and drought associated with El Niño, particularly in Bangladesh's northern district of Kurigram; China's northern breadbasket of Liaoning and the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai, as well as in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, said challenges continue to threaten national and regional food security prospects.
During this seasonal transition, wacky and extreme weather often wreaks havoc throughout the region, spelling bad news for innumerable agriculturalists facing the fury of inundated fields, including in China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula, and, as you read this, the devastating toll of Super Typhoon "Egay" or Doksuri in the northern part of the Philippines continues to be tallied by concerned agencies. For further details on these impacts, please refer to our seed industry news section below, featuring a wealth of news leads, information and insights about what's happening in each country throughout the APAC region.
Undoubtedly, 'climate change' and extreme weather events will continue to be critical themes for the seed sector. Although we may not always have direct control over the weather and climate, there are aspects we can influence. Our motivation, abilities, and capacities to research, design, and engineer solutions—new and improved plant varieties, technologies, and cultivation systems—can help mitigate and minimize the effects of the changing weather and climate on our regional and global food security.
As we strive to keep this introduction concise, rest assured that there is a plethora of news and updates from the APSA Secretariat, all consolidated and relayed to you in an effective and convenient format. We remain committed to continuously improve and enhance our interactions and engagement with you in the coming weeks and months leading up to Congress and beyond. That said, please do not hesitate to provide us feedback and updates from your neck of the woods,
Sincerely,
Steven Layne
APSA Communications Manager
steven@apsaseed.org
THANK YOU to our digital media sponsors
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2023 APSA Seed Technology Webinar Session 3 - Seed Disinfection
On Tuesday, 12 September 2023, APSA will hold Session 3 of the 2023 APSA Seed Technology Webinar. This session will focus on Seed Disinfection, and will feature 3 guest speakers: Dr. M. Krishna Reddy, Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-IIHR; Dr. Doreen Thoren, Manager Innovative Seed Technology Service, Petkus; and Dr Marcel Wollbrink, Petkus-Selecta. For more details on event agenda, speaker profiler and how to register, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2023-apsa-seed-technology-webinar-session-3
Philippines Hybrid Rice & Corn Study Tour
APSA’s Special Interest Group for Field Crops would like to invite all APSA members to attend a special “Hybrid Rice and Corn Study Tour in the Philippines”. Organized by APSA SIG Field Crops Committee and Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) in partnership with the Rice Board, The Study Tour will be held 17 – 23 September 2023.
The tour has been designed for participants to gain new knowledge on hybrid rice and hybrid corn, exchange practices and knowledge with institutions and seed companies in the Philippines. The program itinerary also includes a visit of leading field crops and seed processing companies, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), hybrid rice seed production and commercial demo and the National Rice Technology Forum Demonstration and Technology forum for hybrid rice.
Participation for the Hybrid Rice and Corn Study Tour is only 2,200 USD and will cover meals, local transportation in the Philippines (bus and one way air ticket to Davao) and hotel accommodations in the Philippines. Maximum participants allowed is 40 persons, where all delegates are responsible to cover their airport transfer in the Philippines and their round-trip travel between their country and the Philippines.
For more details on study tour agenda and how to register, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/philippines-hybrid-rice-hybrid-corn-study-tour
Seed Vigor Testing Workshop
APSA, in collaboration with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the Department of Agriculture of Thailand will be hold a Seed Vigour Testing Workshop from 26 – 28 September 2023 at the KU Laboratory at Vachiranusorn Building, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Focus of the workshop will include species of interest to APSA members, in-house development of vigor tests and the application of new technologies. This program covers four of the validated vigour tests, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Accelerated Ageing (AA), Controlled deterioration (CD) and Radicle Emergence (RE). The workshop will describe the current validated test methods and how the conditions for the test were established. Practical work will apply the validated test methods to species of interest to APSA members, using test conditions selected from research papers in which the validated tests have been applied to sweetcorn and species from the Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The test results will be used to describe how appropriate test conditions are determined. Important aspects of test development will be discussed, including field and glasshouse trials. In addition, we shall show how image analysis can be applied in vigor testing. In addition to lectures and hands-on practice, participants will provide information based on their experience which will form the basis of discussions.
Participation for the is event is 350 USD for APSA Members and 400 USD for Non-APSA Members, with a maximum of only 50 participants allowed. For more details on agenda, speaker profile and how to register, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/seed-vigour-testing-workshop
2023 APSA Solanaciars Thank God It’s Friday - Session 3
On Friday, 29 September 2023, ASPA will be holding Session 3 of the 2023 APSA Solanaciars Thank God It’s Friday Webinar, which will focus on Whitefly Solanaceae Inter Play and feature 2 guest speakers; Mrs. Thriveni KP from RVS Agricultural University in India and Dr Awang Maharijaya, IPB University: Institute Pertanian Bogor in Indonesia. For more details on event agenda, speaker profiler and how to register, please visit https://web.apsaseed.org/events/2023-apsa-solanaciars-tgif-session-3
2023 Asian Seed Congress
This year’s 2023 Asian Seed Congress will be held at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Center in Christchurch, New Zealand from the 20th to the 24th of November 2023 and is co-hosted by the New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA). This year’s congress will introduce a new program where delegates can benefit from an additional half day of trading and meetings. Also available at this year’s congress will be 176 trading tables, 17 semi-private meeting rooms, 3 private meeting rooms and 30 regular exhibition booths and 2 super booths, all located on a single floor.
We are happy and proud to announce that we currently have over 830 registered delegates. We also have only 12 trading tables, 2 semi-private meeting rooms and 5 exhibition booths left. So, if you wish to book one, please hurry!
We also highly recommend registering early since acquiring a visa to enter New Zealand may take up to 3-months for some countries. Also, please make sure to book your hotel accommodation early since November is High Season in Christchurch and rooms are running out fast!
And if you are planning on bringing in any seeds to showcase at this year’s congress, please make sure to fill out all necessary forms and documents. Anyone trying to illegally bring in seeds to New Zealand will be subject to the country’s biosecurity laws and may not be allowed to enter the country.
For more information on congress agenda, official floor plan, New Zealand Visa & Import Policy, Biosecurity Policy, how to register and other congress related details, please visit the official event page at https://web.apsaseed.org/asc2023
OTHER SEED INDUSTRY RELATED EVENTS
6th China International Seed Expo (CIEE 2023)
Attention international crop seed companies looking to gain entry and tap into one of the world's largest and most lucrative #cropseed markets, mark your calendars for the 6th China International Seed Expo (CIEE 2023), which is scheduled November 5-10, 2023 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China. Due to popular demand, this year's expo will again include a Crop Seed sub-area, showcasing products, services and technology from leading domestic and international Seed Company representatives. Prospective exhibitors should not hesitate to inquire and register as the May 31 registration deadline is rapidly approaching. More details, registration link: www.apsaseed.org/news/6th-ciie-crop-seed-exhibition
Mike Kingapayom
APSA Event Manager
Welcome to Technical Affairs update. As before, let’s start with the APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium.
Registration for 2023 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium（CLICK HERE to learn more about the consortium benefits）is still ongoing. Better benefits are provided to 2023 Consortium members including increase of free lines from 10 to 15, add hybrids in the exclusive lines, more training opportunities, and set up annual meeting for discussing special project ideas. For the new members who missed the Annual Workshop, we will share the meeting materials.
An exclusive bitter gourd field demo for the Bitter Gourd Project participating members will be held on August 9-10 at WorldVeg’s Research & Training Station at Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand.
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” is launched under the 2024 APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium. The registration of the project will open on August 1st. Please click the link here to find more details of the project.
A Chilli Thrips Field Day will be held on 30 November 2023 to demonstrate the nine thrips tolerant sources with susceptible and hybrid checks under high thrips pressure at World Vegetable Center’s South and Central Asia Regional Center, Hyderabad, India. Registration will begin on 1 August 2023 and will end on 30 September 2023. (Click here for more details) After the Field Day, WorldVeg will launch Chilli Thrips Project entitled "Developing Host Resistance to Thrips in Chilli" in March 2024 through APSA-WorldVeg Vegetable Breeding Consortium.
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
Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups
All 5 SCs/SIGs committeesare finalizing the agenda of APSA Asian Seed Congress Technical Sessions. The following is a summary review of the APSA SC/SIG activities for June:
Standing Committee on Seed Technology:
First, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Johan van Asbrouck, APSA for his 12-years of dedicated service as a Chair (please write the year) and committee member of the SC Seed Technology Committee. We truly appreciate his invaluable contributions and the significant impact he has made in advancing seed tech to APSA members and to the seed society. We hope he still provides us guidance from time to time.
On July 25, 2023, the APSA Seed Technology Webinar Session 2 on Seed Drying was successfully conducted with an impressive turnout of over 150 participants from both the industry and university sectors. The session featured three expert speakers who shared valuable insights on various aspects of seed drying. Prof. Kent Bradford, a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis, delved into the fundamental principles of seed drying. Mr. Johan van Asbrouck, the Executive President of Rung Rueng Consulting Co., Ltd. (Rhino Research), presented on seed drying models, focusing on vertical and horizontal drying methods. Lastly, Ms. Zahra Abdolmaleki, Process Engineer from Seed Processing Holland, discussed box dryers and smaller batch drying models. The diverse range of topics covered during the webinar provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of seed drying techniques and practices. Stay tuned for the next webinar in our newsletter update next month!
Standing Committee on IPR & Biodiversity:
The committee convened its meeting on July 20th, diligently working to finalize two crucial programs for the upcoming Asian Seed Congress in November. They successfully crafted the agenda for the APSA Congress Workshop, themed "Essentially Derived Varieties (EDV): A perspective from breeders," scheduled to take place on November 20th 2023. The committee also accomplished the task of shaping the agenda for the SC IPR & Biodiversity Technical Session on November 22nd and will cover Biodiversity and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), as well as Intellectual Property Rights.
Be on the lookout for updates in the following month, as we will provide more detailed information about the esteemed speakers' abstracts and profiles.
Standing Committee on International Trade & Quarantine:
Although the committee did not have a scheduled meeting for this month, it remained active in monitoring seed regulatory updates. For this month, WTO has announced “Measures to prevent Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) from entering and spreading within the Republic of Korea” dated 17 July 2023.
The measure covers seeds for sowing and seedlings (such as nursery/root stocks, cuttings and scions) of Capsicumspp. and Solanum lycopersicumfrom ToBRFV distributed countries (regions). Those host plants from restricted countries (regions) will need to certify certain conditions. One of the significant changes is on the sample size which is increased from 3000 seeds to 4600 seeds. The measure will be applied on consignments shipped on and after 28 August 2023. Visit WTO notification for more details.
Special Interest Group Field Crops:
The committee met on July 21st to finalize the program for APSA Technical Session at the Asian Seed Congress on November 21st. They also urge everyone to secure their spot as seats are limited now for the APSA "Hybrid Rice and Corn Study Tour in the Philippines" Scheduled on September 17 to 23, 2023, the tour is organized by the APSA SIG Field Crops Committee and the Philippines Seed Industry Association (PSIA) in collaboration with the Rice Board, this tour promises an immersive and informative experience for hybrid rice and corn seed production. For more details and registration, visit this link.
During the meeting, the committee also explored the opportunity to collaborate with One CGIAR. They also discussed another initiative to gather more information about the market size for field crops. Expect further updates next month as plans progress. Stay tuned for more information on these exciting developments.
Special Interest Group on Vegetables and Ornamentals:
The SIG Veg & Orn committee has been maintaining effective communication with sub-groups and its members through email exchanges to ensure activity updates are promptly shared. In a significant decision, the committee has agreed to organize the SIG Veg & Orn study tour, focusing on urban and hi-tech farming, in Japan tentatively in 2024. With the goal of creating an engaging and insightful tour program, the committee is committed to offering a fruitful experience for the participants. Moreover, the committee strongly encourages members to seize the opportunity and nominate their colleagues for the APSA-ISTA Seed Vigor Testing Workshop. This workshop provides an exceptional chance for training under esteemed ISTA speakers invited specially for the course designed for Asia. Interested individuals can apply now through the APSA-ISTA Seed Vigour Testing Workshop link. Don't miss out on this valuable learning opportunity!
The Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies or WIC:
The committee continued to maintain communication via email to address the action points discussed during the April meeting. Among these points, a notable highlight is the upcoming MOU signing with Kasetsart University under the University Connect Program, which is scheduled for next month. This signifies the outstanding commitment and fruitful collaboration between various stakeholders, including universities, seed associations, and APSA, in fostering strong public-private partnerships. The progress made so far is commendable, and there is much more to look forward to in the coming month as the committee endeavors to achieve its goals.
The R&D Advisory Group:
This month, the committee has successfully finalized the esteemed speakers for the APSA Solanaciars – Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) Session 3, which will revolve around the theme of "Whitefly Solanaceae Interplay." This engaging session is scheduled to take place on September 29, 2023. Further details will be provided in the upcoming month, allowing participants to prepare for this insightful event.
However, with a sense of regret, we must convey that, on behalf of the APSA Asian Cucurbits Round Table-2 organizing committee, unforeseen circumstances have compelled us to postpone the APSA Asian Cucurbits Round Table-2 to the year 2024. Despite the postponement, we remain dedicated to organizing a successful event in the future and appreciate your understanding in this matter.
The Disease Resistance Terminology Working Group or DRT:
The DRT WG members had a task to support the initiative between APSA and World Vegetable Center to customize a training course to learn the techniques and methods used at the pathology and entomology labs and greenhouses/insectary of WorldVeg. They are listing crops and types of pathogens to be screened to form a productive program.
That's 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
AustraliaAustralia's Wheat Production Predicted to Drop in 2023/24: July 26: Gro's machine-learning model predicts a double-digit decline in Australia's wheat production for the 2023/24 season.
Tree Planting Event Cancelled Amid Cultural Heritage Law Confusion: July 16: Two major tree planting events in Western Australia were cancelled after the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation demanded $2.5 million for approval.
Recalled Poppy Seeds Found in Supply Chain, Causing Illness in Australia: July 4: A previously recalled batch of poppy seeds in Australia mistakenly resurfaced in the supply chain, causing illness in at least one person.
Australian Scientists Funded to Grow Plants on the Moon: July 6 Australian scientists have been awarded over $3 million in federal government funding to continue their project that aims to grow plants on the Moon.
Australia's Winter Crop Outlook: June 2: Australia is set to plant 23.48 million hectares for its winter crops this season, a 0.3% increase from the previous year and 5% higher than the five-year average, according to Rabobank's report.
More from Australia seed industry news
BangladeshAman Paddy Production Debacle Raises Food Crisis Fears in Bangladesh: July 26: The ongoing dry spell in Kurigram, Bangladesh, is causing a debacle in Aman paddy production, raising concerns about a potential food crisis in the region.
Bangladesh's Plant Species at Risk: June 24: Source: A comprehensive assessment of Bangladesh's plant life reveals that the country has lost seven plant species over the past century, and now faces the risk of losing at least five more.
More from Bangladesh seed industry news
ChinaCanadian Flax Exports to China Resume: July 29: After a two-year hiatus, Canadian flax is once again moving to China. Nine thousand tonnes of flax were exported from the Port of Vancouver during week 50 of the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
Chinese Scientists Identify Genes for High-Yield Rice: July 27: Chinese crop scientists have made a significant breakthrough in rice breeding by identifying two genes that hindered crossbreeding in two rice family relatives.
Russia Sends First Pea Shipment to China by Boat: July 26: China has cleared the first ocean vessel carrying 55,000 tonnes of Russian peas, marking a significant milestone in the new trade route.
Heavy Rain Causes Flooding and Casualties in Eastern China: July 23: Five people died and two were missing in a village near Hangzhou city, eastern China, after heavy rain caused a river bank to burst, flooding houses and sweeping away people and belongings.
China Sends Seeds and Plants into Space for Genetic Mutation: July 21: The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced a space seed project involving 136 types of space breeding experimental materials from 53 institutions.
Chinese Authorities Issue Weather Warnings Amid Heatwaves and Flood Threats: July 9: Chinese authorities have issued weather warnings due to prolonged heatwaves and the risk of severe floods, posing threats to crops and power grids.
More from China seed industry news
IndiaIndian Farmers Plant 23.7 Million Hectares of Summer-Sown Rice Amid Revived Monsoon: July 29: Indian farmers have planted 23.7 million hectares with summer-sown rice, a 1.71% increase compared to the previous year. . .
Punjab Struggles to Meet Basmati Sowing Target Amidst Floods: July 29: Despite heavy floods affecting 1,472 villages in Punjab, India, basmati sowing was completed on approximately 4.5 lakh hectares of land (equivalent to 45,000 hectares), short of the initial 6 lakh hectares target. . .
Maharashtra Government to crack down on spurious seed sales: July 28: The Maharashtra government plans to enact a law during the current Monsoon session to tackle the sale of counterfeit seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides in the state. . .
Pune Farmers Opt for Soybean Cultivation Amid Promising Prices: July 26: Many farmers in Pune district have shifted to cultivating soybeans due to the attractive prices the kharif crop has fetched in recent years. . . .
Kharif Sowing in India Sees Strong Growth, Paddy and Coarse Cereals Lead Increase: July 24: Kharif sowing in India has gained momentum, with farmers cultivating crops across 73 million hectares, marking an 8.5% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. . .
Farmers in Jalandhar, India, Assess Crop Losses and Field Damage After Devastating Floods: July 18: As floodwaters started receding in Jalandhar, India, farmers faced the daunting task of assessing the extent of crop losses and damage to their fields. . .
Corteva Agriscience Commemorates 50 Years of Pioneer® Seeds in India: July 6: Corteva Agriscience, the global agricultural company, celebrated the 50-year legacy of Pioneer® Seeds in India at an event in Hyderabad. The event honored farmers, including women farmers, who have been closely associated with Pioneer for decades and recognized the contributions of Corteva Pravaktas, the farmer ambassadors, in transforming agriculture and sharing knowledge to enhance yield and productivity. . .
Delayed Monsoon Rains Affect Summer Crop Planting in India: July 11: Indian farmers have faced challenges in planting key summer-sown crops like rice, cotton, corn, and soybeans due to the uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall. . . .
Drones Seed Barren Patches of Pavagadh Mountain: July 7: In a unique initiative to make barren patches of Pavagadh mountain green, the forest department in Vadodara, India, has been using drones to drop seeds on nearly 250 hectares of land from the foothills to the mountain's top. . . .
More from India seed industry news
IndonesiaMinister of Agriculture Distributes Drought-Adaptable Rice Seeds: July 30: Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo distributed four tons of new superior rice seed varieties, capable of withstanding El Niño-induced drought, to several provinces in Indonesia. . . .
Indonesia's Ambitious Cassava Plantation Project Faces Controversy: Indonesia's plan to establish large cassava plantations to reduce its rice dependence and cut wheat imports faces scrutiny as environmental groups report deforestation without Indigenous Dayaks' consent. . . .
Indonesia Increases Social Welfare Budget to Tackle Rising Food Prices: July 24: To control food prices and offset the potential impact of the El Niño-induced drought on rice output, Indonesia has raised its social welfare budget by 8 trillion rupiah (US$532.41 million). . . .
More from Indonesia seed industry news
JapanRecord Rains Damage Crops in Japan: July 22: Record rains in northern Kyushu and Akita Prefecture caused damage to rice, soybeans, and other crops, leading to concerns about harvest decline and potential crop price increases. . . .
High quality Miyazaki rice: July 20: Miyazaki Prefecture Cooperative ships out early rice crop with excellent quality. The Akitakomachi and Koshihikari varieties, totaling 12.5 tons, received the highest ranking in quality inspection. . . .
Lowest Nori Seaweed Output in 51 Years: June 4: Output of nori, indispensable to Japanese cuisine, hit a 51-year low in the 2022 harvest year due to bad weather and a red tide outbreak in the Ariake Sea, Japan's main seaweed-producing region. . . .
More from Japan seed industry news
Korea
Deadly Flooding in South Korea: July 17: South Korea has experienced up to 23 inches of rain since Thursday, leading to devastating landslides, road collapses, crop destruction, and damage to homes and buildings. . . .
South Korea to Boost Rice Production in Africa: July 6: South Korea is set to sign an agreement with eight African nations to enhance rice production and reduce their reliance on imports. . . .
KOICA Launches Vegetable Seed Cultivation Complex in Uganda: June 21: Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will begin constructing a pilot cultivation complex in Uganda to develop native vegetable seeds and boost local farmers' income. . . .
More from Korea seed industry news
MalaysiaSmallholding Rice Growers in Malaysia Call for Urgent Paddy Policy Reform: June 5: Smallholding rice growers in Malaysia are urging the government to reform the national paddy policy, alleging that state-picked companies are distributing poor-quality seeds while receiving substantial subsidies. . . .
Heatwave in Malaysia Puts Farmers at Risk: June 25: A heatwave in Kota Tinggi, Johor, has raised concerns for farmers like Mr Naviin Thiagaran and his father, who grow crops in sweltering conditions. . . .
Heatwave in Malaysia Leads to Crop Damage from Pest Infestations: June 1: As temperatures reach around 35°C across Malaysia, farmers are facing a challenging situation as up to 30% of their crops are damaged by pest infestations. Pests and mites are thriving in the hot and dry weather from May to August, causing significant losses for farmers. . . .
More from Malaysia seed industry news
New Zealand
IFAD and New Zealand Sign NZD 5.75 Million Agreement for Pacific Food and Water Project: July 13: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of New Zealand have signed an agreement worth NZD 5.75 million (USD 3.57 million) to support the Small Islands Food and Water Project (SIFWaP). . . .
More from New Zealand seed industry news
Nepal
Nepal Introduces Site-Specific Fertilizer Recommendations for Better Crop Productivity: July 25: Nepal's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development announced the launch of site-specific fertilizer recommendations for maize, wheat, and rice. . .
Nepal's Rice Imports Continue Despite Self-Sufficiency Goals: June 30: Nepal has imported rice and paddy worth over NPR 33.6 billion in the current fiscal year, despite government plans to achieve food self-sufficiency by boosting agricultural production. . . .
More from Nepal seed industry news
Pakistan
Pakistan and China Seek Collaboration for High-Yield Hybrid Seeds: July 25: The Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) delegation embarked on a week-long visit to China to explore collaboration with its Chinese counterparts for joint production of new varieties of high-yield hybrid seeds. . . .
Pakistan Releases 31 Wheat Varieties to Boost Food Security and Resilience July 11: Pakistan's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production receives a boost with the release of 31 wheat varieties since 2021. These new seeds are expected to enhance the productivity, climate resilience, and disease resistance of the country's 9 million hectares of cultivated wheat fields. . .
More from Pakistan seed industry news
PhilippinesSuper Typhoon "Egay" Leaves Death and Destruction Across 13 Regions in the Philippines: July 30: Super Typhoon "Egay" (international name: Doksuri) has exited the Philippines, but its impact is evident in at least 13 regions of the country. . . .
Lawmaker Urges Climate, crop collaboration; with University Researchers: July 17: Rep. Wilbert Lee of the AGRI Party-list called on the government to strengthen its collaboration with researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) to develop climate-resilient crops. With the threat of El Niño and projected extreme weather events, Lee emphasized the crucial role of state scientists in safeguarding farmers from the impact of prolonged droughts. . . .
President Marcos Orders Investigation into Smuggling and Price Fixing of Agricultural Products: July 5: President Marcos has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate cases of smuggling, hoarding, and price fixing of agricultural commodities, particularly onions. . . .
More from Philippines seed industry news
Turkiye‘Climate Change’ threatens Crop Yield in Turkey: June 25: Climate change is causing significant disruptions in seasonal patterns, leading to a three-week shift in the seasons in Turkey, according to Prof. Dr. Zeynep Zaimoğlu, a faculty member of the Department of Environmental Engineering at Çukurova University. . . .
Sharp Increase in Seed Potato Imports: June 15: Turkiye, one of the top 15 largest exporters of potatoes globally, is projected to experience a significant rise in potato production in 2023. The surge in production is evident from the country's seed potato imports, which reached a new historical record of 28.5 thousand tons in the first four months of the year. This represents a remarkable 91% increase compared to the same period in 2022. . .
More from Turkiye seed industry news
VietnamProlonged Heat Waves and Drought Cause Agricultural Losses in Northern Vietnam: July 5: Prolonged heat waves and months of little to no rain have severely impacted agriculture in mountainous border provinces in northern Vietnam. . . .
Vietnam's coffee production expected decline: July 5: Vietnam's coffee production is forecast to decline by 6% year-on-year to 29.75 million bags, with 28.74 million bags of robusta, during the 2022/23 marketing year that began in October. . .
Seeds and Hi-Tech Agriculture Exhibition in HCM City: The ninth Seeds and Hi-Tech Agriculture Exhibition took place at Bình Phú Park in HCM City’s District 6. . . .
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. 29 No.2 (Quarter 2, April - June 2023)
No password required
Volume 29, Issue Two of Asian Seed & Planting Material features updates and insights on various movements, projects and initiatives in the region. Starting with a timely update from APSA president, Dr. Manish Patel and outgoing executive director Dr. Kanokwan Chodchoey, who shares a heartfelt final address, while also thouroughly covering APSA's latest progress with initiatives and stakeholder collaboration in the region and world. This issue also features an eight-page special coverage of interntional seed news from Seed World, as well as an Asia-Pacific seed export figure report showing the trend in 2022 vs the previous four years; there is comprehensive coverage of important regional meetings APSA hosted, including the annual Seed Association meeting and the midterm of the Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Companies. Aside from this, there are three exclusive interviews featured, with the new CEO of East-West Seed Group; APSA Past President and Honorary Lifetime Member, Dr. Zhang Mengyu, and with the national organizing committee of the 2023 Asian Seed Congress host -- New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association's Thomas Chin. This and so much more. Download by clicking thumbnail above.
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