Seed industry reps breathe new life into annual Association Meeting

Attendees of the 2023 Seed Association's Meeting, organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance on 26 and 27 April in Bangkok, made great strides in narrowing gaps to address a number of key issues in the regional production and trade of quality seeds.

The hybrid in-person and online meeting was attended by representatives from 13 seed trade associations operating in Asia, alongside key stakeholders, who gathered to discuss challenges and opportunities to shape the future of the seed sector in the region. In his opening remarks, Dr. Manish Patel, President of the Asia-Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA noted the importance of this meeting, which had previously been held in as a two-hour side meeting in conjunction with the Asian Seed Congress in November.

Due to the need for a dedicated agenda to coordinate efforts between regional, national and local seed industry bodies, this year’s meeting was reformatted to be a two-day meeting earlier in the year – planned to proceed APSA’s Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies’ midterm meeting (See page 32)

Highlighting the role of APSA as the “voice of the APAC seed industry”, Dr. Patel emphasized the association’s collaboration with the International Seed Federation (ISF) and theh three other regional seed associations representing Africa (AFSTA), the Americas (SAA), and Europe (Euroseeds).

The APSA president underscored the Asia-Pacific region's status as "not only the largest in terms of territory and population but also its strategic role in seed production, which plays a vital role in global food security for the current decade."

"The immense diversity within the APAC region, spanning various cultures, climates, and geography," he added, "poses a unique challenge in aligning and harmonizing under one regional voice."

Acknowledging this challenge, the primary focus of the meeting was to establish unity and foster collaboration among the diverse territories represented under the APSA umbrella. Discussions centered around forging strategic partnerships, aligning industry approaches, and promoting sustainable practices to propel the seed industry forward in the Asia-Pacific region. Following are brief highlights from eral of the attending associations.

CNSTA

Established in 1988, the China National Seed Trade Association is a non-governmental and non-profit organization and one of two nationallevel seed associations in China, alongside the China Seed Association. With 172 members encompassing multinational companies, local and state entities, R&D institutes, government organizations, and associations, CNSTA is dedicated to serving its members, the government, and the seed industry. Its primary focus is to facilitate seed movement and promote innovation in a conducive environment. Noteworthy milestones include co-organizing the Asian Seed Congress in Shanghai (2005) with APSA and hosting the World

Seed Congress in in collaboration with ISF. CNSTA operates with a small secretariat of seven individuals and features six technical committees covering areas such as seed trade, intellectual property, and specific crop committees. It collaborates with international organizations like ISF and APSA, as well as national associations, to provide comprehensive services and acts as a one-stop solution provider, working closely with downstream and upstream associations. Key Priorities of CNSTA: Intellectual Property (IP) and Plant Variety Protection (PVP) are primary concerns for CNSTA, as they foster innovation within the seed industry. Genetic resource conservation and utilization to support research and development (R&D) also hold significant importance. CNSTA actively participates in global discussions and coordination efforts, particularly through the ISF PBI coordination group, to promote consistent regulatory policies for Plant Breeding Innovation (PBI). Regular round table meetings with organizations like ISF, ASTA, and CSA contribute to developing and implementing a unified PBI policy. Facilitating seed international trade and movement is another key priority, with events like the China Beijing Seed Congress providing a platform for seed companies to connect and collaborate. Ensuring safe seed movement by adhering to international phytosanitary measures is emphasized, and collaboration with ISF, PLANTUM, and other organizations furthers the conservation and utilization of genetic resources. CNSTA organizes seminars and workshops to promote international cooperation and discuss topics related to genetic resources, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Plant Treaty. By addressing these priorities, CNSTA strives to create an enabling environment for the seed industry, promote innovation, and strengthen international collaboration.

About: The Taiwan Seeds Trade Association, with 50 corporate members and 90 individual members, strives to improve communication among its members and foster the growth of the seed industry. Its primary objectives involve researching and enhancing seed production technologies, collecting and publishing information, proposing seed industry development and regulatory amendments, organizing seminars and training, providing assistance to government agencies and organizations, settling disputes among members, and managing other related matters. Additionally, the association collaborates closely with the Taiwan Council of Agriculture to support seed companies and actively engage in research and technical aspects of the seed industry.

The Horticulture Seeds Association of Indonesia is based in Jakarta. The association has three technical committees: regulations and government relations, organization, and public relations and, currently 15 companies as its members; previously there were 24 members, but due to issues arising from the Horticulture Law of 2009, some multinational seed companies faced regulatory challenges, resulting in impacts on business activities and thus membership. However, the regulatory environment has improved greatly, and the country is aiming to attract more foreign investment.

The Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA) traces its roots back to the All Japan Seed Traders Union and was officially established in 1973 as a government-approved incorporated association. As a member of ISF

(International Seed Foundation) and APSA, JASTA boasts a membership of approximately 922 members. The association comprises around 50 fully integrated seed companies with breeding programs and seed production sections, along with wholesalers, distributors, and over 800 local retailers. The Secretariat, consisting of six individuals, supports the association's operations. JASTA operates through eight technical committees, including Membership, Policy, Legal Affairs, Public Relations, Ethics & Compliance, Technical Research, Management & Distribution, and Plant Protection. Furthermore, it has six sections dedicated to specific areas, such as Vegetable Seed, Flower & Vegetative Propagation Crop, Forage & Turf, Seedling, Agricultural Materials, and International section. The association also has 46 Prefecture Chapters across Japan. JASTA is actively engaged in various activities. Notably, they conduct dietary education programs for elementary school children, offering hands-on agricultural experiences focused on seedlings and planting. This initiative has been ongoing for 15 years. The association publishes a monthly magazine with the slogan "The Good Seeds Make Your Life Enriched." Their mission is to contribute to the advancement of horticultural farm crop production in Japan. JASTA aims to promote plant breeding by private seed companies, specifically for horticultural seeds and seedlings, to improve their productivity and characteristics in response to the evolving demands of Japanese consumers. They also focus on facilitating the smooth distribution of excellent varieties and enhancing international cooperation. An important aspect of JASTA's activities is plant variety crop selection. The association organizes competitions, such as the 'All Japanese' variety selection, which occur around 20 times per year for vegetables and flowers. These competitions, conducted in collaboration with Public Research Institutes and the Ministry of Agriculture, involve selecting outstanding varieties based on factors such as crop, growing season, and location.

The National Seed Association Malaysia (NSAM) was established in 2008 by a group of academicians from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and researchers from relevant agencies such as the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia, the National Seed Association Malaysia (NSAM) represents the interests of various stakeholders in the seed industry and currently has 196 members. Among them, nine seed companies are part of the association, with two involved in seed production and the rest engaged in seed trading. Playing a crucial role in advancing the seed industry in Malaysia through the organization of events, facilitation of training programs, and promotion of collaboration between stakeholders, NSAM aims to act as an official body representing the professional interests of all stakeholders in the seed industry. It also serves as a referral center for the seed and planting material industry, promoting knowledge advancement in seed and planting materials science. The association organizes public lectures, talks, and conferences on pertinent topics such as seed conservation, agriculture, and climate change.

The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) is comprised of 32 members, including multinational companies, local companies, government agencies, academic institutions, and agro–dealers. Dr. Gabriel Romero serves as the Executive Director of the association. The PSIA holds bimonthly meetings of the board and operates through various technical committees such as the Membership Development Committee, Variety Awareness Committee, Phytosanitary and International Trade Committee, Intellectual Property and Ethics Committee, Technology Development Committee, and Communications and Social Media Committee. PSIA's key priorities include: Elevating the profile of PSIA: PSIA actively engages in policy–making and regulatory bodies such as the National Seed Industry Council. They are involved in the National

Seed Technology Park project and the implementation of Farmers' Rights under the ITPGRFA. Assisting with policy formulation: PSIA provides inputs and comments on proposed regulations and policies of the Department of Agriculture. They participate in the revision of the Seed Act to define illegal seed practices and maintain regular dialogues with Department of Agriculture officials to address industry issues. Raising awareness on the importance of quality seeds: PSIA conducts various activities such as variety awareness programs, technical demonstrations, and field days to showcase seed varieties. They co-organize national seed summits and farmers' forums to promote knowledge exchange and best practices. Additionally, PSIA participates in agricultural fairs and exhibitions to highlight quality seeds and farming innovations. Promoting increased consumption of vegetables: PSIA collaborates with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education to establish school and community vegetable gardens. They conduct campaigns and awareness programs to encourage higher per capita consumption of vegetables. Capacity building of members: PSIA conducts yearly seedsmen’s update courses in collaboration with the Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines. They also organize study tours to learn from other countries and conduct webinars and seminars on seed and farming innovations.

The Seed Association of Nepal (SEAN) was established in 1989 and currently has around 2,500 members, including agro–dealers and retailers throughout the country. Membership in the association is a requirement to obtain a seed–selling license, leading to widespread membership even among small seed shops in villages. There are only 15 active seed producing and marketing companies within SEAN. The association is structured with a Central Committee of 21 members, including three vice presidents responsible for import, production, and distribution aspects. SEAN also has seven provincial committees and 46 District Coordination Committees. The association focuses on policy advocacy, including the formulation of seedrelated acts, rules, and regulations. It conducts capacity–building activities, such as training, workshops, seminars, and annual general meetings. SEAN facilitates the exchange of market and technical information among its members and conducts studies and surveys to support policy decisions. It also provides coordination and support in resolving issues and disputes, particularly related to compensation claims arising from the use of substandard seeds by farmers. SEAN also assists its members in accessing soft loans for business investment, research, and infrastructure development.

The Vietnam Seed Trade Association (VSTA) has a well-defined structure with a president, three vice presidents, and a secretariat consisting of four staff members. The association is supported by two committees: the Legal and Membership Development Committee, and the Science Technical, Cooperation and Communication Committee. Additionally, there is the Vietnam Seed Service Support Center, headed by the director. Given Vietnam's geographical expanse from north to south, the association is divided into different regional sub-associations. Currently, there are five sub-associations, namely the Northern Mountainous Area, Redriver and Northern Central Mid-land, Southern Central Mid-land and High Central Land, East South of the South, and Cuulong River Delta. These subassociations VSTA have a total of 154 members, with varying numbers in each area. In the near future, the association will consolidate members to be part of three main sub-regions (North, Central and South). The key mission of VSTA is to support the development of a healthy and stable national seed trade industry. The association's priorities include organizing events to disseminate and provide guidance on new regulations, particularly those outlined in the recently declared cultivation law. VSTA aims to inform its members about the law's provisions and encourage their active participation in major agricultural policies and strategies outlined by the government for the period from 2020 to 2030. Furthermore, VSTA acts as a representative for seed companies, proposing necessary amendments or solutions to issues identified in legal documents. The association also offers consultancy services to both members and non-members, ensuring the protection of members' rights in accordance with the provisions for agricultural sector development. Overall, VSTA plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing the national seed industry in Vietnam.

Also represented at the meeting were representatives from the Feederation of Seed Industry of India (FSII); Indonesian Seed Association (ASBENINDO); Bangladesh Seed Association (BSA); Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP); Thai Seed Trade Association (THASTA) and the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Summaries about these organizations, as well as several other seed associations in the APSA region, will be featured in our follow–up article in the Quarter 3 issue published by September. Meanwhile, a comprehensive overview of the discussions, outcomes, and country-level summaries are covered in the meeting report, which will be available via the APSA membership portal . CLICK HERE