In this February 2024 APSA Seed Insights Newscast, we open up with welcome message from our Executive Director Francine Sayoc, who reflects on her active first month on the job, already making waves with signing her first MoU, with Bangladesh partners as part of APSA’s University Connect program; getting ready to welcome stakeholders in the Philippines for APSA’s annual Expert Consultation on regional phytosanitary collaboration amongst public and private stakeholders; APSA Membership Coordination Manager gives some important reminders on membership renewal, followed by APSA Event Manager Mike Kingpayom filling us in on upcoming events of importance, including the phyto meeting in Manila, as well as APSA’s upcoming Large Seed Vegetables, Brassica and Okhra ‘Thank God Its Friday’ Webinar series; APSA Technical Programs Manager Xiaofeng Li announces the registration deadline for the APSA-WorldVeg Breeding Consortium Annual Workshop and more; while APSA Technical Coordination Manager Kuna Phuntunil gives more updates from APSA’s Special Interest Groups and Standing Committees, as well as updates on special collaborations, including a project update from the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); APSA Communications Manager Steven Layne then provides a comprehensive update on seed industry news from around the region – Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam – before the episode concludes with a special feature interview with Dr Narender Dhillon of World Vegetable Centre, conducted by Kuna during the recent Pumpkin Open Field Day held in Khamphaeng Saen, Thailand. Have you every wondered what the difference is between a pumpkin and squash? Which pumpkins are popular in Asian markets and why? What are the kay breeding challenges for cucurbit crops. Find out the answers to these questions and more. All is revealed!
