2023 Seeds Trends
Tapping into Kynetec database unveils demand for premium seeds @ farmgate
Promoting PVP, R&D and PBI in APAC
APSA joined & organized workshops, seminars in Q3
Silicon Seed Valley #ASC2024 host: the history, rise of China's southern breeding hub
Mourning, Mogens Memoirs
APSA Founding Father passes away, but his legacy lives
VOL.30 NO.3
JUL-SEP 24
apsaseed.org
Asian Seed & Planting Material
Volume 30, July - September 2024
Official Publication ISSN 0859-1776 APSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024 P.O. Box 1030, Kasetsart, Bangkok 10903, Thailand
Dr
Mrs
Dr Yang Yasheng
Dr Kwanghong
Dr MD Ali Afzal
Mr Farhan Tahir
Dr Frisco Malabanan
Mr Rahul Pagar
Ms Chia-Hui (Linda) Chang
Mr John Mizicko
Dr Sumitra Kantrong
APSA held the Asian Solanaceous and Cucurbits Round Table in Bangkok, which was the sixth in-person symposium in 10 years for APAC's leading breeders and scientists to collaborate and cultivate solutions to timely food security challenges.
As APSA marks an important 30-year milestone this year, we mourn the loss of the man who started it all but celebrate his contributions by going back to re-learn how it all started.
Tel: +66 (0) 2-940-5464 Fax: +66 (0) 2-940-5467
Email: apsa@apsaseed.org www.apsaseed.org
Happy autumn harvest season to all members, colleagues and friends reading this (and spring planting for those down South). As we reflect on the progress of our association, it is with a heavy heart that in this issue we mourn and remember Mogens Lemonius, APSA’s initiator, who passed away at the end of June (see page 32). Mogens was instrumental in shaping our association, laying the foundation at that historic meeting in Chiang Mai 30 years ago. From his vision, APSA grew into a grand platform uniting seed industry stakeholders across the region. As we honor his legacy, it’s clear that Mogens' pioneering spirit continues to inspire us today as we celebrate APSA’s 30th anniversary.
Carrying that spirit of pioneering and progress forward, I’ve been actively representing APSA across various platforms this past quarter, reinforcing our commitment to promoting the seed sector within the Asia-Pacific region. One notable engagement was my participation in the International Seed Conference from 22-24 August in Kathmandu, Nepal, which is a country emerging as a vibrant, untapped market in the APAC region.
During my visit, it was encouraging to witness the proactive stance of Nepal’s government toward enhancing national food and nutritional security through the robust development of its seed sector. As an outcome of the conference, a comprehensive 36-point agenda was proposed to the government, formulated by diverse stakeholders to set a clear pathway for Nepal’s seed industry growth.
As APSA President, I assured Nepalese seed players of our
continued support, specifically by inviting their National Plant Protection Organization to participate in our annual phytosanitary consultation and the newly established annual consultations on IP protection and biodiversity. I also encouraged them to attend the Asian Seed Congress, providing valuable exposure to global seed market opportunities. Given Nepal’s unique climatic conditions and availability of manpower, I firmly believe it has the potential to position itself as a hub for subtropical and temperate seed production. I proposed the establishment of a “Nepal Seed Valley” under a public-private partnership model to leverage these advantages and drive forward their seed industry.
Similarly, my engagement at the Seed Industry Association of Maharashtra (SIAM) annual conference on September 27, provided another important platform to underscore the immense opportunities that lie within the APAC region. Celebrating 60 years of India’s private seed sector, I provided a regional perspectiveI provided a regional perspective to inspire Indian players. My key message: seize APAC opportunities before moving to Europe or America. APAC, home to nearly 50% of the global population, offers a thriving seed market with affordability, cultural alignment, and similar agro-climatic zones. As APAC’s seed industry grows, India and China can become global leaders by embracing plant breeding innovations and maintaining top seed quality.
In addition to these engagements, I also attended Gujarat Seed Industry Association AGM on 24th Sept,2024 where I delivered speech on role of seed association in promoting seed
trade. During my speech emphasizing more on investment in innovation , Capasity building activities and Collaboration with various key stakeholders can bring revolution in seed sector. I was felicitated by President of GSIA Dr. N.P.Patel , Vice President Mr. Girdharbhai Patel , General Secretary Dr. P.P. Zaveri and Executive Director Mr. Katesia .
During my speech, I encouraged Gujarati seed companies to join APSA and participate in ASC-24 in Sanya to expand their business globally. Gujarat is a key player in India’s seed sector, known for hybrid innovation and leadership in oilseeds and spices. A new generation is taking charge, with rising investments in seed processing and open innovation. Six Gujarat seed companies are listed on the stock exchange, with more to come. Government support through the Gujarat Seed Valley highlights the region's growing role in hybrid vegetable seed production.
Reflecting on these experiences, it is evident that APSA’s success lies in its deep-rooted connections across Asia, from national to grassroots levels. Our commitment to strengthening the seed industry within the region aligns with the pioneering vision that Mogens set out three decades ago. As we look ahead, APSA’s role in driving growth, innovation, and collaboration remains more crucial than ever.
With the Asian Seed Congress 2024 just around the corner, I look forward to reconnecting with all of you in China. Together, let’s continue to build on our rich legacy and drive forward the future of the seed industry.
#SeedyouinSanya
Keeping true to the APSA legacy and mission, President Patel has been actively sowing seeds of national, regional and agricultural development; TOP RIGHT: Dr. Patel is presented a certificate of appreciation during the recent Gujarat Seed Industry Association AGM; BOTTOM RIGHT: Patel (right) with ISF President Arthur Santosh Attavar (left) and Mr. Sameer Mulay, president of the Seed Industry Association of Maharashtra (SIAM) during the latter's annual conference.
The Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture (ICFA), a leading agriculture think tank, organized a National Round Table on Seeds at the India International Center, New Delhi, on 26 June 2024. Over 50 delegates, including policymakers, seed industry leaders, academics, and farmers, attended the event, which was chaired by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), with Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner of India, as Co-Chair.
Dr. M.J. Khan, Chairman of ICFA, presided over the meeting, coordinated by Dr. Narendra Dadlani, ICFA Advisor. Senior industry professionals, including Mr. M. Prabhakar Rao, President of the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), Mr. Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), Dr. Manish Patel, President of APSA, and representatives from Bayer Crop Science, as well as experts
like Dr. Arvind Kapur and Dr. H.S. Gupta, actively participated in the discussions.
The discussions resulted in key recommendations: implementing One Nation, One License for seed sales, using e-Phyto for cross-border seed movement, restoring tax benefits on seed R&D, strengthening public sector seed labs, expediting the Seed Bill (2004/2024), boosting seed exports, increasing investments in seed research beyond crop improvement, clearer GE/GMO crop guidelines, and forming a Working Group to address
these issues with policymakers.
Dr. Manish Patel, President of APSA, highlighted India’s emergence as a tropical and subtropical seed hub. He advocated for improving seed movement across borders, simplifying plant quarantine by removing non-seedtransmitted pests from the PQ list, and promoting the exchange of e-Phyto. He also urged the Indian Government to align its policies with those of major seed-importing nations’ NPPOs to facilitate smoother trade.
Hello, APSA members and partners. As of writing, the Executive Committee just held its third meeting of the year, where we introduced the first draft of our Strategic Roadmap for the next three years. This plan outlines our key priorities: regulatory and policy advocacy, member engagement, capacity building, business and trade facilitation, and strengthening the Secretariat.
For three decades, APSA has been at the forefront of advancing the seed industry in our region. However, today’s world is vastly different from what it was 30 years ago. Our members’ needs have evolved, the business and regulatory landscapes have shifted, and our natural environment is changing.
After several months of research and information gathering via member surveys, interviews with business leaders, seed associations workshop, discussion with external partners, and current and past leadership of APSA, we learned that our members face increasing pressures and are counting on APSA to be an industry advocate, above anything else.
The big question now is: how can APSA adapt and continue to deliver value to our members and partners in this new context? Expect to hear more on this in the coming months as we roll out the new strategy, kicking off at the Asian Seed Congress 2024 in Sanya.
To me, a strategic plan is more than just a document filled with
Ms Francine Sayoc APSA Executive Director
graphs, images, and eloquent words. It’s about making deliberate choices. To stay relevant and impactful, we must challenge our thinking and have laser focus on priorities. We cannot do everything, but we can do what counts.
We are not going to do it alone. You, our members, are the life of the association. A plan is only as good as the people who will help carry it through; the members have as much a role in this as the Executive Committee and the Secretariat. I firmly believe that an ideal relationship between an association and its members is a two-way street, characterized by a balance of mutual benefit and equal contribution, supporting each other’s growth and achieving common goals.
APSA Executive Director, Ms. Francine Sayoc (3rd left) participated in the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum (EAPVP) in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia during August 2728, with (from left) Ms. Weeranuch Mhadlhoo, APSA Partnership and Compliance Manager, Mr. Kalil Hamid Senior Program Manager & Team Lead, USDA-FAS and Mr. Muhammad Moazzam from Naktuinbouw
ABOVE AND RIGHT: Actively advocating on behalf of the APAC seed sector for sciencebased policies, APSA Executive Director was invited to be a panelist at the International Conference for Crop Science and Breeding in August. This was followed by a Workshop on Plant Breeding Innovations that APSA organized with the help of various stakeholders (see page 18 for more details).
The National Association for Plant Breeding envisioned a new blueprint for the profession at its conference in St. Louis.
Marc Zienkiewicz, Seed World Canada Editor | Seed World
IN THE UNITED STATES,
food security isn’t just about keeping grocery store shelves stocked — it’s about forging a progressive future for the country itself.
This was underscored for over 400 attendees at the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) conference in St. Louis, MO, from July 21-25.
Co-hosted this year by Bayer Crop Science and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the theme was Rethinking, Reimagining and Revolutionizing Plant Breeding.
Check out our December edition for a feature story on the innovative breeding work being done at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!
The “rethinking” portion began with an opening night panel discussion, spotlighting the intersection of food security with broader issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Keynote speaker and moderator Kristine Callis-Duehl, principal investigator and executive director of education at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, noted that
science’s role in agriculture is about more than just yield and environmental impact. Food security is about ensuring that every American has access to the essential nutrients that underpin economic stability and societal function.
“When fundamental needs like food are met, people can work, learn, and contribute effectively,” Callis-Duehl said. “Without it, we face poverty, disparity, and unrest.”
The timing for the panel was significant, taking place just days after Tractor Supply and John Deere scaled back their DEI efforts.
The panelists, including Jeremy Williams (head of Climate LLC, Digital Farming and Commercial Ecosystems for Bayer Crop Science) and Justin Raymundo (vice president of innovation ecosystem-building for BioSTL), challenged these rollbacks, stressing that inclusivity and diversity are crucial for innovation and trust in the agricultural sector.
“It’s shortsighted to abandon DEI initiatives,” Raymundo told Seed World. “These values drive innovation and build trust, both vital for addressing global food challenges.”
Williams echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that diverse teams are not only more productive but essential for attracting top talent and maintaining public trust.
However, the rollback of DEI efforts often stems from shareholder pressure, as panelist Bobby Smith II noted. Smith II is a social scientist and associate professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“Cultural shifts provoke power struggles,” he said. “History has shown us that every time we want to make these cultural shifts, there’s always a backlash and a pushback, and that’s what we’re seeing right now. Companies revert to previous practices when DEI efforts no longer help the bottom line. It’s Business 101.”
That way of looking at the economics of business can also be turned on its head to strengthen plant breeding, attendees heard. The NAPB is actively focusing on collaboration and mentorship to drive the
Over 400 people came out for this year’s NAPB meeting held in St. Louis, MO.
next generation of plant breeding innovation, to ensure a new generation of breeders have a mindset that will ensure a progressive future for the profession.
New NAPB president J.D. Rossouw, head of vegetables R&D for Bayer Crop Science. Rossouw sat down to talk about why the NAPB recently changed its name from the National Association of Plant Breeders to the National Association for Plant Breeding.
About two years ago, discussions began within the NAPB about making the organization more inclusive, he said.
The new name better encapsulates what NAPB does by broadening the scope of who should be members, he says.
“It brings together a diverse range of disciplines to support the plant breeding field. Over the years, the technologies and skills represented within the association have evolved significantly. By changing the name, we’re recognizing this shift and better representing the multifaceted nature of modern plant breeding.”
Plant breeding today is indeed a lot more multifaceted than it used to be, and it’s a field where success takes time to materialize. That’s why Klaus Koehler believes tenacity is an essential skill for breeders, as technology forces us to reimagine what it means to be a plant breeder.
You need to be persistent and patient, because you must make a long-term commitment before you can really see the results of your work, says the global talent development lead for Corteva Agriscience. Along with Masha Trenhaile, head of university strategy & outreach at Bayer Crop Science, Kohler helped organize this year’s Soft Skills Workshop held on July 21.
The workshop, which featured leadership coach Jonathan Shaver of Envision Partners, brought young plant breeders together to learn collaboration skills and solve problems.
“It gets hot in Hawaii in July, and we wanted to offer opportunities to enjoy some of the extra events that you can only do in Hawaii,” says co-organizer Mikey Kantar, professor in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
The mornings will be dedicated to talks and sessions, while the afternoons will allow attendees to fully embrace the island’s natural beauty, Kantar says. From visiting coffee farms to exploring archaeological sites that showcase ancient Hawaiian agricultural practices, attendees will have a range of unique activities to choose from.
Stay tuned to plantbreeding.org for registration info.
With the rapid advancements in technology over the last 10 to 15 years, breeders have become much more interconnected as a community, Koehler says. That means they need to put their heads together more than ever before.
He believes one of the most important skills is understanding and setting your priorities — both professionally and personally. It’s crucial to take the time to really think about what matters most to you.
“Once you’ve identified your top priorities, focus on the 20% of activities that will have the greatest impact on your success, both in your career and personal life.”
In academia, there’s a strong emphasis on publishing papers, being the lead author, and pushing forward independently, Trenhaile notes. But when you move into industry, the focus shifts — you need to be more collaborative and work effectively within a team.
“I think that’s a skill that can sometimes be lacking. Another critical skill is communication, and this isn’t just important in plant breeding — it’s crucial for everyone. Often, people hesitate to admit they’re stuck, but I believe that reaching out and communicating with colleagues can lead to faster solutions than trying to figure everything out on your own.”
Borlaug Scholar Deysi Alvaro Ceja, student research assistant at the University of California-Davis, did just that. She sought out mentors who helped guide her to becoming successful in plant breeding. It’s her top piece of advice to others just getting started out. She’s now working to boost the vitamin C content of tomato.
“Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences and never stop learning. This field is all about continuous growth and development. It’s also crucial to not be afraid of taking risks and pursuing opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone,” she told Seed World
“As a first-generation grad student, it was tough to overcome the fear of putting myself out there and asking for help. But breaking that barrier was a game-changer for me.”
Borlaug Scholar Deysi Alvaro Ceja is student research assistant at the University of California-Davis.
Paul Skroch of Edison Agrosciences speaks during the closing panel at this year’s NAPB meeting in St. Louis.
Thirty years ago, Paul Skroch stepped outside of his comfort zone and found himself in a room speaking to a group of aspiring plant scientists. He was a graduate student with dreams of revolutionizing agriculture through cutting-edge research. Fast-forward to the NAPB conference in St. Louis, where he came full circle as he took part in a panel discussion with several other St. Louis startups on the topic of revolutionizing plant breeding.
With a Ph.D in plant breeding from the University of Wisconsin, he’s focusing on experimental design and data. He’s currently vice president of breeding for Edison Agrosciences in St. Louis, where’s he’s working to capture the potential of natural sunflower rubber.
The United States relies on over $2 billion worth of natural rubber each year, used in countless products due to its unique properties that synthetic materials can’t replicate. It turns out, U.S. sunflower
fields produce around 25,000 tons of natural rubber annually from the plant leaves. However, the rubber’s concentration is too low for cost-effective extraction.
Edison Agrosciences is tackling this issue by boosting the natural rubber concentration in sunflower.
“We’re still in the early days, but by the end of next year, we hope to have testable products that companies like Goodyear and Bridgestone can use to create real-world rubber products,” he said.
But it’s not just well-known plants like sunflower that are making waves as the plant breeding revolution goes on, conference attendees heard.
In May, panelist Kevin Cook and his team at CoverCress reached a milestone — harvesting over 1,000 acres of CoverCress, a winter oilseed crop developed from field pennycress, which didn’t exist in agriculture a decade ago. He’s spearheading a revolution — not just tweaking existing crops but inventing entirely new ones.
Back in 2013, CoverCress (formerly Arvegenix) was founded by a group of innovators inspired by USDA research. They saw potential in pennycress oil for biofuels. The timing was perfect.
But they needed germplasm — something to build on. So, company founders literally drove across the country, collecting pennycress from ditches and this seed became the foundation of the breeding program. An early employee brought back a sample from the side of a Colorado highway.
“That sample turned out to be a game-changer, with early vigor and a shatter resistance gene — traits we desperately needed,” he said.
They’ve developed a greenhouse operation that allows them to complete four cycles per year, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in crop domestication. SW
For video interviews, podcast episodes and other content from the 2024 meeting of the NAPB, visit seedworld.com/tag/napb/ WHERE ON THE WEB
Foor
Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. Editor | Seed World
DAN FOOR IS the new chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) board. He is the senior vice president for DLF North America’s distribution business. We recently sat down with Foor to discuss his vision for the year ahead.
SW: You are a big “theme” person. What is your theme as ASTA chair?
Foor: My theme is "activation." I want to inspire our members to get more involved and engage with ASTA. An active membership is the foundation for our success. ASTA has 700 members. We work with every crop from alfalfa to zucchini and everything in between; that’s the slogan. What if at least one person from every member company was involved with some part of ASTA? We would be such a strong and active association.
SW: How will you implement your theme?
Foor: I’m going to take a few tours around the country, go to members businesses and have conversations. The key thing we have to think about is not where we are today, but where are we going? We need to think about how we get in front of what's ahead as an association and as an industry. I’ll focus on leveraging our regional vice presidents. They are doing a fantastic job today; we want to encourage them to tell the ASTA story to members within their regions and craft success stories to help folks understand the work ASTA is doing
in front of and behind the scenes.
SW: What are the biggest challenges facing the seed industry?
Foor: I think our foundational issue is not just related to seed but agriculture in general. The average American citizen is three to four generations removed from the farm. Recent data tells us there are 1.9 million farms in America and that number continues to decline and less than 2% of the population is engaged in production agriculture. Our biggest challenge is the lack of awareness of what is going on in agriculture today and how some of the things that are important to innovation in agriculture need to be protected and fostered if we're going to continue to feed, provide food and clothe the world. We need to talk about plant breeding innovation, using novel plant breeding
techniques and having freedom to operate with those tools. Also, the ability to export agricultural products is going to be paramount in that global regulatory landscape. It’s going to be a big challenge. We need to make sure that we have the right messaging around the very safe tools that our industry is using. Things like seed treatments continue to be under pressure largely because of a lack of knowledge about the benefits of those types of products. ASTA and other industry associations are really at the point of the arrow trying to protect that freedom and ability to innovate.
SW: What motivates your work in the seed industry and with ASTA?
Foor: Anytime you're part of an industry that is innovative and dynamic, every day is something new. I'm excited by breeding techniques that can shorten the time to accelerate innovation. But I think most people like new things and better things; better seed, better life
SW: Do you have any advice for young professionals or those looking to become leaders in the industry?
Foor: Network meaningfully and be open to new experiences. Building relationships and being curious are crucial for leadership development. Foor said he’s always open to engaging with ASTA members and learning from them. His goal is to set up future leaders for success and continue the strong tradition of ASTA. SW
Despite modest increases in seed planting area and volume, the overall market value of the global and regional sowing seed market remains robust, reflecting a rising demand for premium seeds
Data from the Sigma Seed™ database by Kynetec reveals that in 2023, the seed market reached a value of $92 billion, with a notable two-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. This surge in value, compared to slower growth in area and volume, underscores the increasing focus on quality over quantity, reflecting the industry’s shift towards seeds that offer higher yields, better resilience, and superior traits tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture.
According to the Sigma Seed™ database, a total of 67.6 billion kilograms (67.8 million tons) of sowing seed was planted across 988.3 million hectares globally in 2023, with a total farm gate value of $92 billion. Compared to 2021, this represents a two-year CAGR in planting area of just under one percentage point. The total volume of seed increased by a CAGR of 1.3%, while the market’s gross value grew by 8.1%, indicating a shift toward premium seed quality, alongside inflationary pressures impacting seed prices.
The majority of the seed market value is concentrated in field and food crops. Maize led the global market with a value of $29.3 billion, accounting for approximately 31.9% of the total market, followed by wheat at $17.7 billion (19%), soybeans at $13.8 billion (15%), and
rice at $10.3 billion (11.6%). These four crops collectively represented $71.1 billion, or about 77% of the total global seed market value, underscoring their dominance. The remaining crop categories, including other cereals, vegetables, and specialty crops, contributed the remaining 23%, highlighting a concentrated market where a few key crops hold significant value.
In the Asia Pacific region—which includes East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, West and Central Asia, and Oceania—26.9 million tons of seed were planted across 429.9 million hectares in 2023, with a farm gate value of just under $30 billion.
The total planting area in this region saw a CAGR of 1% from 2021 to 2023, while the seed volume remained nearly flat, increasing by only 0.1%. However, the market value in the Asia Pacific region showed more robust growth, with a two-year CAGR of 4.5%, indicating a preference for higher-value or premium seed products within the region.
The leading crop categories for the Asia Pacific region were rice, valued at $8.6 billion (28.9% of the APAC market); maize, at $7 billion (23.5%); and wheat, at $6.9 billion (23%). Other significant crops included soybeans at $1.4 billion (4.6%); cotton at $1.2 billion (4%); and onion at $1 billion (3.4%). Additional crops such as tomato, radish, rapeseed, barley, beans, and cucumber had market values ranging from approximately $500 million to $250 million, collectively illustrating the diversity and economic importance of the seed market in the region. Together, rice, maize, and wheat dominate the Asia Pacific market,
accounting for over 75% of its total seed market value.
When comparing the Asia Pacific market to global figures, rice stands out as a critical regional crop, comprising nearly 84% of the global rice seed market, reflecting its immense importance in the region. Maize in the Asia Pacific represents about 23.8% of the global maize seed market, highlighting its significant role in regional agriculture.
Wheat accounts for approximately 38.8% of the global market value, reinforcing the strong reliance on staple grains in the Asia Pacific. These figures demonstrate a strong overlap between the most valuable global crops and those that dominate in the Asia Pacific, pointing to a significant regional contribution to the overall global seed market.
The insights from the 2023 global seed market highlight a clear shift towards premium and quality seed, a trend that is particularly evident in regions like Asia Pacific. While the traditional staples—rice, maize, and wheat—continue to dominate, their rising market values suggest a growing emphasis on improved seed varieties that can command higher prices.
This reflects not just inflation but also the strategic choice of farmers and the seed industry to invest in superior genetics and innovative breeding technologies. As the seed market evolves, the focus on quality will likely continue to drive growth, shaping the future of global agriculture and reinforcing the value of advanced seed solutions that meet both regional and global demands.
A detailed breakdown by crop and country with updated infographs will be published in Q4 issue out in December.
In the heart of Hanoi, from July 1519, APSA, along with public and private sector partners, continued to build momentum with a weeklong workshop on “Seed Sector Development for Ensuring Food Security.” Simple in concept yet complex in execution, the workshop’s themes called for a diverse group of stakeholders and experts ready to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.
Organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), CropLife Vietnam, and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the workshop attracted 70 onsite participants, including government representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as other public and private sector stakeholders. An additional 74 participants from 11 countries—such as Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.—joined virtually.
Building on ongoing efforts under the Mekong U.S. Partnership (MUSP), the workshop aimed to further seed sector development in the region, piggybacking on previous benchmarks set by similar events held in the region in recent years. Over five days, four focused seminar sessions were followed by a concluding field trip, providing a comprehensive framework to address key issues in food security.
The seeds of this initiative were sown as part of the Mekong U.S. Partnership (MUSP), an ongoing effort to strengthen agricultural resilience in the region. The Hanoi workshop built upon earlier milestones, continuing a conversation that began years ago with meetings in Thailand and other neighboring nations. As participants gathered on the opening day, the gravity of their mission was palpable. A delicate balance between research, policy, and practical implementation was needed to meet the region’s growing food demands in an era of climate change and unpredictable global markets.
PVP as a Driver of Research and Innovation
After opening remarks and formalities on the opening day, discussions kicked off with a focus on Plant Variety Protection (PVP), an essential tool for incentivizing research and development. Each country shared updates on their national PVP systems, spotlighting both progress and gaps. Cambodia, for instance, expressed an urgent need for guidance on enforcing plant breeders’ rights and educating farmers on the benefits of PVP systems under the UPOV Convention. Meanwhile, Vietnam, already a UPOV member, acknowledged that while its system is robust, it still requires fine-tuning to ensure it benefits breeders, farmers, and consumers alike. These discussions didn’t just stay in the theoretical realm. Participants rolled up their sleeves and mapped
out concrete actions. Cambodia called for technical assistance on enforcement mechanisms, while Vietnam pledged to amend its legislation to further protect plant developers.
Refreshed after a night in Hanoi’s cool, crisp air, delegates reconvened with renewed energy on Day 2, which was dedicated to intellectual property (IP) protection in the seed sector—an area fraught with complexity but critical to innovation. As experts shared best practices from around the globe, a recurring theme emerged: without effective enforcement, even the best laws remain powerless.
The lively exchanges led to several key action points. Thailand, for instance, committed to launching public awareness campaigns about the risks associated with illegal seeds. Laos requested support in translating UPOV provisions into Laotian to better educate its farmers. A shared sense of responsibility resonated in the room, with participants agreeing that empowering farmers with knowledge about legal seed use and IP protections is crucial for long-term food security.
As discussions deepened, it became clear that communication strategies were just as important as policy. Participants proposed a campaign to combat misinformation about IP, leveraging the voices of farmers themselves. A suggested video could serve as a powerful tool to bridge the
knowledge gap between regulators and those working in the fields.
Building on the strong foundations of PVP and IP, the third day graduated with a timely focus on Plant Breeding Innovation taking center stage. Benchmarking trends in regulation, and reregulation thereof of genome editing, Thailand’s progress was celebrated sharing its progress in developing guidelines in genomeedited crops. Their next challenge: ensuring that end users, including farmers and industry stakeholders, understand and adopt these innovations. A workshop in Bangkok was proposed for September to facilitate this.
Vietnam, too, emerged as a focal point. Though its research in genome editing is advancing, the regulatory frameworks needed to bring these innovations to market are still lagging. The consensus was clear: Vietnam must fast-track the development of guidelines to test and approve new products, and the international community should support this effort with capacitybuilding workshops and policy dialogues.
Cambodia and Laos, while further behind, were not forgotten. Tailored workshops to build their capacity in plant breeding innovations were proposed, ensuring that all countries in the region can eventually benefit from these advancements.
The fourth day shifted gears to address issues of cross-border seed movement. While the discussions were highly technical, the stakes were clear: without efficient phytosanitary processes, the flow of high-quality seeds across borders— and, by extension, agricultural research—would be stymied.
Vietnam was identified as a key player in this space. It was agreed that the country must align with its neighbors on measures like Pest Risk Assessments (PRAs) and ePhyto systems to facilitate smoother seed exports. The discussion also emphasized the importance of streamlining small-scale seed import policies, particularly for Thailand and Vietnam, where further engagement with national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) was recommended.
By the end of the day, participants had outlined clear steps to enable more efficient seed trade, ensuring that high-quality germplasm can reach the countries and farmers who need it most.
With the formal discussions behind them, participants embarked on a field trip to the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI). Nestled in Vietnam’s northern region, NOMAFSI has made significant strides in breeding and testing high-value crops suited to the
local climate. As delegates walked through fields of carefully cultivated rice and fruit varieties, they witnessed firsthand the power of research in action.
NOMAFSI’s work extends far beyond crop breeding. The institute is a leader in post-harvest processing, particularly in producing high-quality green, oolong, black, and Pu-erh teas. International collaborations on sustainable farming, soil conservation, and agro-forestry models further demonstrated how Vietnam is leveraging science to enhance agricultural practices.
Beyond the technical takeaways, one of the workshop’s most important conclusions was the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors in Cambodia and Laos. Currently, the lack of formal communication channels limits progress on policy and law amendments. To address this, participants recommended APSA stimulate the formation of national seed associations in both countries, creating a platform for ongoing dialogue and cooperation.
As the workshop concluded, the commitment to future collaboration was clear. APSA, USDA, and ASTA will continue working with regional stakeholders to identify common programs and ensure that efforts to improve the seed sector remain coordinated and sustainable.
Reinforcing the region’s commitment to strengthening national plant variety protection (PVP) systems, this year’s forum was organized in conjunction with an international seminar on PVP’s role in agricultural development, as well as a regional meeting to refresh the use of electronic platform services offered by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
The UPOV-supported EAPVP Forum has long been a platform for regional cooperation in PVP implementation and increasingly benefits from active participation and contributions by industry stakeholders, such as APSA and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP). The two-day meeting facilitated dialogues to advance biodiversity protection and sustainable agriculture in the East Asia region. It was hosted by Cambodia’s Department of Crop Seed (DCS), General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Japan Association for Techno-innovation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (JATAFF), and UPOV.
With MUSP's support this year, APSA facilitated the participation of PVP officers and government representatives from the Lower Mekong, underscoring the region’s collective progress in bolstering plant breeding investment and agricultural innovation. The forum showcased successful collaboration between regional and international partners to promote high-quality seed movement
and align national PVP frameworks with UPOV standards.
As a regional forum bringing together PVP officials from the ten ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), along with China, Japan, and South Korea, the annual EAPVP serves as a collaborative platform for delegates to share national progress reports, discuss challenges, and propose cooperation activities for the upcoming year.
Notably, this year saw active participation and significant contributions from PVP officers representing Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. APSA’s invitation to these countries’ Director Generals of relevant departments resulted in the participation of six officials who engaged in productive dialogue around capacity building and the implementation of effective PVP laws. The active involvement of government representatives remains a critical element in harmonizing PVP systems and advancing agricultural development and food security in the Mekong region.
In addition to updates from UPOV on global PVP developments, member countries presented individual strategies aligned with EAPVP’s 10year strategic plan. These strategies focus on promoting harmonization of laws, technical cooperation, and facilitating seed movement across the region.
APSA’s participation, alongside other key observers such as the USDA, CPVO, and Naktuinbouw, underscores its commitment to
building capacity and ensuring Southeast Asia remains a dynamic player in global seed trade. APSA's collaboration with MUSP and other partners continues to explore pathways for further integration and cooperation in seed sector development.
Following the annual EAPVP meeting (see http://eapvp.org/ for full proceedings), delegates stayed on in the Cambodian capital to take part in an international seminar to discuss the role of PVP in the development of agriculture. Representatives from both public and private sectors, including UPOV, CPVO, APSA and MUSP, presented case studies and reports, highlighting how PVP has positively impacted national agricultural goals. Discussions also centered on the progress made by countries like Myanmar and Laos in their PVP systems, offering insights into the challenges and successes of regional collaboration.
The seminar fostered robust engagement among participants, with key topics including biodiversity, intellectual property rights enforcement, and the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive innovation in plant breeding. Notably, the session allowed for in-depth discussions on the future of PVP in the region and the steps necessary to further strengthen these systems.
One of the key takeaways was the agreement to adopt cooperation activities for 2024-2025, in line with the EAPVP’s common direction and strategic goals. While not all proposed activities will be implemented due to resource
constraints, the forum demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing PVP across the region.
The 18th EAPVP Forum Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held next year in Singapore. Additionally, APSA, in collaboration with USDA and MUSP, is exploring avenues to continue
supporting capacity-building efforts, aiming to influence and provide input into future agendas. Strengthening PVP systems remains central to both APSA’s and MUSP’s mission and objectives.
Through initiatives like the EAPVP Forum, APSA is committed to
ensuring that the harmonization of PVP and biodiversity laws continues to facilitate high-quality seed production and movement across the region. These efforts are crucial to fostering sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security in the Lower Mekong region and beyond.
As new breeding technologies evolve rapidly to meet growing global challenges, the Asia-Pacific seed industry welcomes sciencebased regulatory approaches by regional policymakers to secure the future of food production. Thailand's newly implemented gene editing regulations have been hailed as a crucial step toward driving innovation in crop development, addressing urgent issues like climate change and food security.
The workshop on Sept 3 and 4 brought together representatives from both the public and private sectors, facilitating timely discussions on the implementation of science-based policies.
These sentiments were echoed at a recent workshop, “Plant Breeding Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture and Agroeconomic Development,” held in Bangkok on 3-4 September, where industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of agricultural innovation in the region.
plant breeding innovation. “New breeding technologies have great potential to increase competitiveness in agricultural innovation,” he said, emphasizing the country’s vision to become a regional hub for seed development while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Participants explored how Thailand’s gene editing regulations provide a clear, science-based framework that encourages research and development of new crop varieties. The regulation aligns with international best practices, allowing Thailand to position itself
Innovation Mr. Michael Leader (Bayer CropScience) highlighted the benefits of genome editing with examples like short-stature corn, advocating for affordability and accessibility, and urging for a unified global policy.
Organized by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) in partnership with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Thai Seed Trade Association (ThaSTA), the event brought together over 170 participants, including government officials, seed industry experts, researchers, and international stakeholders. Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Mekong U.S. Partnership (MUSP) seed sector development project, the workshop highlighted the significant potential of plant breeding innovations, particularly genome editing, to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Keynoting the event, Dr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs (Director General of Thailand’s Department of Agriculture) underscored his country's commitment to fostering
Thai officials introduced new guidelines for genome-edited products, while Dr. Khaoula Belhaj Fragniere (Regulatory Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation) and Ms. Krista Thomas (Vice President, Trade Policy and Seed Innovation Canada Grains Council) called for science-based, future-proof frameworks and stressed international alignment to facilitate trade. Ms. Geronima P. Eusebio (Supervising Agriculturist and Head of Biotechnology Office, Bureau of Plant Industry) shared the Philippines’ experience in developing policies grounded in scientific determination and public engagement, and Dr. Chalinee Kongsawat (Biosafety Section of Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) and Dr. Piyarat Thammakijjawat (Director, Thailand Biotechnology Research and Development Office) underscored Thailand’s focus on capacity building and collaboration.
New breeding technologies have great potential to increase competitiveness in agricultural innovation.” – Dr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs
as a leader in innovative agricultural biotechnology.
The workshop brought together experts from the public and private sectors to discuss genome editing technology, its benefits, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Prof. Michael Jones of Murdoch University provided an overview of conventional breeding and new breeding technologies, emphasizing the science behind genome editing. Dr. Hiroshi Ezura of the University of Tsukuba showcased the successful market entry of high GABA tomatoes in Japan, reflecting growing consumer acceptance, while APSA Chair of the Standing Committee on Plant Breeding
From the U.S. perspective, Dr. Adam Cornish (Agricultural Advisor, US Department of State) outlined principles of a transparent, risk-based regulatory approach that fosters innovation and public trust, aligning with initiatives from international bodies like the UN FAO and APEC. Dr. Fan-Li Chou (Senior Vice President, Scientific Affairs & Policy, American Seed Trade Association) reinforced the need for harmonized regulations to support small and medium-sized enterprises in leveraging new breeding techniques.
The workshop concluded with an open discussion on the implementation of the regulation, especially in the registration and
import of gene-edited products. The officials from DoA informed that the steps involved are quarantine process (which is the same for all plants or plant products imported into Thailand), referring to the biotech committee and officer to determine whether the imported product qualifies as conventional or not. If it is determined to be equivalent to conventional variety, it will be registered as a genome-edited variety. Any varieties developed through crossing from this variety will be regarded as conventional and there would be no need to register them as genomeedited varieties.
"A formal forum for communication between regulators and the industry on gene editing policy is crucial,” said APSA Technical Advisor, Dr. Shivendra Bajaj. “This will help to build mutual understanding and trust, and support the effective implementation of the policy."
The experiences of other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and the Philippines, were also highlighted, emphasizing policies that balance innovation with safety and transparency. APSA Director Francine Sayoc reinforced the need for a harmonized approach
to regulations across the region to facilitate the trade of gene-edited products.
"In Southeast Asia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore have set commendable examples with their forward-looking regulatory approaches, and several other countries are on their way. We hope others will take inspiration," she said. “APSA will continue to facilitate conversations and partnerships that drive innovation, sustainability, and food security in the region, ensuring that regulatory frameworks are not only science-based but also future-proof,” she said. As the leading regional
organization representing the seed industry, APSA reaffirms its commitment to supporting ongoing dialogue between public and private stakeholders to advance plant breeding innovation.
The discussions underscored a collective call to action: raise public awareness, ensure transparent and sciencebased policies, and promote international dialogue to harmonize regulations. A key takeaway was the need for ongoing communication between regulators and industry to support innovation in the seed sector.
From September 24 to 26, 2024, APSA convened a groundbreaking symposium: the inaugural in-person Asian Solanaceous and Cucurbits Roundtable (ASCRT). This is the Sixth crop Round Table organized by APSA since the inaugural Asian Solanaceous Round Table or ASRT I in 2014. This Combination of Solanaceous and Cucurbitaceae Crops event emerged from the popularity and demand for APSA’s post-COVID webinar series of the same name, representing the evolution of five previously successful gatherings—the Asian Solanaceous Round Table (4 events) and the Asian Cucurbits Round Table (1 event)—into a comprehensive forum that unites the best minds in the Asia-Pacific to tackle pressing challenges at a critical juncture in human experience.
Revolving around the theme of "Harnessing New Breeding Technologies for Climate ChangeResilient Vegetables," the Sixth ASCRT was hosted at the headquarters of APSA’s longstanding member, Chia Tai Co., Ltd. The roundtable brought together 164 delegates from 59 seed companies across various regions, including Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, the Netherlands, and the USA.
Made possible through generous sponsorship from East-West Seed, Syngenta India, BASF, and Nunhems, the three-day event facilitated timely and critical discussions on essential topics such as Modern Breeding Techniques, Germplasm Diversity, Genomics and Genome Editing, and
AI and Digital Technology for HighThroughput Phenotyping. Delegates exchanged insights on technology platform demonstrations, explored training needs, and examined the potential for public-private partnerships. Featuring 28 expert speakers from 16 leading organizations, including the APSA R&D Advisory Group, the event fostered rich dialogues on the latest advancements in plant breeding and pest management.
A recurring theme throughout the presentations was the urgent need for crop resilience to combat climate change and emerging pests, with speakers emphasizing innovative breeding techniques and the critical importance of collaboration in addressing these challenges. The Round Table served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing global food security.
Setting the tone for the week, APSA Executive Director Francine Sayoc welcomed delegates while highlighting APSA’s "convening power" in bringing together the seed sector to advance scientific knowledge. Emphasizing the seed industry's leading role in innovation, Ms Sayoc pointed out that it “invests more in R&D as a percentage of profit than the medical or automotive fields."
As APSA marks its 30th anniversary, Sayoc reflected on the critical role that science and plant breeding play in the future of food systems, stating that "everything we know today is an accumulation of knowledge from past scientific endeavors." She also underscored the importance of advocacy, particularly for favorable
regulatory frameworks that support innovations like genome editing, which are crucial to addressing food production challenges. She closed by thanking participants for their continued support in advancing APSA’s mission and urged them to have a "fantastic ASCRT."
During his address, the Chair of APSA R&D Advisory Group, Dr Seetharam Annadana, underscored the vital role that collaboration, especially between the public and private sectors, plays in advancing research and breeding technologies for solanaceous and cucurbit crops. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, which are critical to "working for the benefit of farmers" across the Asia-Pacific region.
Reflecting on APSA's journey, he celebrated a decade of roundtables, from the first in Bangalore to the current Sixth edition, calling it a "milestone in APSA’s 30-year history." Dr. Annadana also highlighted ongoing collaborations, such as those with the World Vegetable Center and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), showcasing projects addressing heat-stress tolerance, pest resistance, and developing new markets for crops like bitter gourd and luffa. Ultimately, he conveyed that these efforts were driving significant advancements in crop research and seed sector efficiency, paving the way for future breakthroughs in the industry.
Dr. Conrado Balatero, Chair of the ASCRT Organizing Committee and Group Head of Breeding at EastWest, warmly welcomed the 164 delegates from 59 seed companies across 15 countries to the 2024
Asian Solanaceous and Cucurbits Roundtable. He highlighted the event’s theme, "Harnessing New Breeding Technologies for Climate ChangeResilient Vegetables," as particularly fitting for the times. He went on to underscore the breadth of topics to be covered, from disease resistance and plant breeding innovations to AI applications and public-private partnerships. He encouraged delegates to not only absorb knowledge but also actively engage with the speakers and each other, stressing the importance of curiosity and collaboration. "It is important to build partnership and collaboration," he remarked, setting the tone for the next three days of insight and exchange.
BREEDING BREAKTHROUGHS & BREAKING BARRIERS: KEYNOTE
Dr. Byoung-Cheorl Kang, a professor at Seoul National University and expert in pepper genetics, opened his keynote address by highlighting the significance of chili peppers in global cuisine and agriculture, especially in Southeast Asia. He acknowledged the challenges faced in pepper breeding, including disease susceptibility and climate change impacts. Developing climateresilient varieties that can endure heat, drought, and flooding is increasingly
difficult, particularly due to limited access to global germplasm collections.
Dr. Kang emphasized the transformative role of modern molecular breeding technologies, particularly genome sequencing, which has reduced cultivar development time from 5-6 years to 3-4 years. He discussed advancements made in his lab, such as the development of molecular markers for disease resistance, and the integration of AI into breeding practices, ushering in a new era of "smart breeding" using big data.
Focusing on genomic selection, Dr. Kang explained how it improves breeding for complex traits controlled by multiple genes. By utilizing a training population with known genetic and trait data, breeders can predict plant performance more effectively. He demonstrated that using 1,000 to 2,000 genetic markers can yield accurate predictions for traits like fruit size and capsaicinoid content.
Dr. Kang also discussed the practical challenges of applying gene editing techniques like CRISPR to peppers, given the complexities of regeneration. To overcome this, his team is exploring virus-induced gene editing (VIGE), which eliminates the need for traditional tissue culture methods. Although still in early stages, they have achieved gene edits without relying on antibiotics, simplifying the process. However, he noted significant regulatory challenges, as gene-edited plants remain classified as GMOs in South Korea, unlike in countries such as Thailand and India. He concluded by stressing the need for continued technological improvements and increased funding to advance this promising field.
The Round Table saw a diverse lineup of presentations from researchers and institutions across Asia and beyond, covering groundbreaking advances in plant breeding, genome editing, pest management, and technologydriven phenotyping. Presenters from institutions such as Bogor Agricultural University, the World Vegetable Center, Peking University, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños shared insights on a wide range of crops including tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits, and eggplant.
A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the need for breeding crops resilient to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Researchers focused heavily on improving crops' resistance to common pathogens like begomovirus and anthracnose in peppers and cucurbits. As Dr. Patcharaporn Suwor highlighted in her presentation, breeding for disease resistance remains a cornerstone of ensuring sustainable yields under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
Meanwhile, Dr. José Arnel Reyes discussed breeding tomatoes for heat tolerance and waterlogging resilience, emphasizing that "the challenges of a changing climate require adaptable varieties, bred to withstand extreme conditions without sacrificing productivity."
On the technology front, multi-omics approaches are revolutionizing how scientists improve crops. Several presentations demonstrated how genome editing, combined with phenotyping technologies, are being utilized to enhance genetic diversity and unlock new traits. Dr. Chutikarn Butkinaree’s research on seed quality in ridge and bitter gourd underlines the
importance of using bioinformatics and proteomics to discover biomarkers, while Dr. Charles J. Underwood’s work on polyploid genomes signaled a new frontier for hybrid crops.
In addition, public-private partnerships (PPP) were underscored as key to accelerating innovations from lab to field. Institutions like East-West Seed and Syngenta played a significant role in the discussions, illustrating how collaboration between academia, government, and private companies can speed up the development and deployment of improved germplasm.
Pest management also featured prominently, particularly in sessions led by Dr. Lourdes Taylo on Bt eggplant commercialization in the Philippines and Dr. Petcharat Thummabenjapone, who focused on cucurbit disease management. The integration of advanced phenotyping tools like Zentron Labs’ digital platforms offers promising prospects for improving pest resistance screening and plant breeding precision.
By the end of the third day, delegates left with a renewed sense of motivation, passion, and urgency to confront the
pressing challenges facing our global food systems. This sentiment was reiterated in the plenary session and echoed throughout the week: “In the face of climate change and emerging threats, our commitment to innovation in plant breeding is not just necessary; it is imperative.” The themes of resilience, innovation, and collaboration resonated deeply, underscoring the critical need for a united approach to plant breeding solutions that can ensure food security in an ever-changing climate.
Indeed, the collective wisdom synergized under the banner of the ASCRT makes it clear that the path forward is not solely a matter of research and development; it requires collective action and commitment from all stakeholders involved. The work ahead is substantial, but it is not insurmountable. With the right strategies, tools, and partnerships, we have the power to overcome these challenges and create a sustainable future for generations to come. The time to act is now, and delegates returned home armed with the knowledge and determination to drive this essential work forward. APSA's R&D Advisory Group over the next few months will explore the next date and location for the Seventh crop Round Table and keep readers informed.
From a traditional "breeding base" to a self−reliant "seed
industry
stronghold",
Nanfan (Southern Breeding) is
not only a symbol of technological innovation in China‘s seed industry but also a window for global
agricultural cooperation and development.
CHINA'S NANFAN: 68 YEARS OF HARDSHIP AND GROWTH
Hainan, as China's only tropical province, has become an ideal place for crop breeding due to its unique climate. Since the 1950s, Nanfan has attracted researchers from all over the country to conduct scientific research and breeding and nurtured nearly 30,000 new crop varieties, laying a solid foundation for the nation’s food security.
Nanfan’s origins underwent a period of exploration. Initially, breeders conducted hybrid seed propagation in Guangdong, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan. Eventually, they discovered that Hainan Island's climate was the most suitable for replanting northern crops. After years of practice, breeders came to refer to this breeding method as "Nanfan."
In its early days, Nanfan exemplified hardship to the fullest extent. Yuan Longping, the "Father of Hybrid Rice", recalled in his autobiography: "With a quilt, a grass mat, and a bucket of seeds, we took carriages and boats to Hainan. The conditions in the fields were poor, and leeches were common." Academician Dai Jingrui of the Chinese Academy of Engineering also had vivid memories of Nanfan, describing it as "a bed made of straw and a cooking pot propped up on three stones."
However, over time, the environment, concepts, and functions of Nanfan have undergone significant changes: In 1965, China made its first investment in the construction of the Nanfan base. In 2015, the National Nanfan Scientific Research and Breeding Base (Hainan) Construction Plan (2015-2025) was released, marking a new development phase for Nanfan. As a result, research land was secured, and infrastructure was improved. Guo Sandui, the "Father of China's Insect-resistant Cotton", happily remarked that the base's walls protect experimental materials, providing effective security for speeding up breeding efforts. "The road of Nanfan has become a broad, golden avenue", said renowned seed production expert Zhang Ligao.
Ensuring the success of Nanfan is not just about maintaining its smooth operation, but also about safeguarding China's food security, representing a shift in ideology. Nanfan’s function has also evolved, from "generation acceleration and propagation" to "combined breeding and propagation", and further to becoming China's "Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley" for the seed industry. Breeders in Hainan have expanded their work to include genotyping identification and molecular breeding, making Nanfan a platform for both domestic and international cooperation and exchange.
NANFAN: BRINGING BENEFITS FOR THE WORLD
Nanfan is a symbol of China's agricultural science and technology. Countless breeders have devoted themselves to the Nanfan base, creating many breeding miracles with far-reaching impacts.
Yuan Longping once said in an interview that half of the success of hybrid rice should be credited to Nanfan. Similarly, Xie Hua'an, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences who has worked in Nanfan in Sanya for many years, said, "It was because Academician Yuan Longping pioneered this research field that I was able to engage with hybrid rice on Hainan Island in 1972". Through their efforts, hybrid rice has achieved continuous breakthroughs and made a great contribution to solving global hunger, earning worldwide recognition.
Nanfan is also the fertile soil for the successful cultivation of high-yield compact hybrid corn varieties. In 1978, Li Denghai, known as the "Father of Hybrid Corn", cultivated Yedan No. 2 and Yedan No. 3, China’s first compact hybrid corn varieties that broke the 700 kg/mu (4242.4 kg/acre) yield barrier at Litchi Bay in Sanya. Since then the mu yield continues to break through, and the highyield capacity of China's hybrid corn has more than doubled.
Nanfan has also witnessed a "great battle" of insect-resistant cotton scientific research led by Guo Sandui, the father of China's "insect-resistant cotton". In 1996, in order to accelerate the breeding speed of insect-resistant cotton in China, Guo Sandui’s team came to Hainan to conduct breeding at the Nanfan base and developed the earliest nationally approved insect-resistant cotton varieties in China.
In Nanfan, Wu Mingzhu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has also cultivated numerous highquality melon seeds. Her "Ace 8424” watermelon, with outstanding quality and low cost, helped China become the world's largest producer and consumer of watermelons. Over more than 50 years of research, traveling between Hainan and Xinjiang has become a normal way of life. She always said: "My life is to produce the sweet melons to the people." Nanfan is a story of breeders "chasing the sun", and
to this day, the story continues.
To better support breeding, the 268,000mu (44,149.5 acres) Nanfan Scientific Research Breeding Protection Zone has received special protection, with water conservancy projects solving the irrigation needs of 204,000 mu (33,606.3 acres). The Nanfan Service Station offers "onestop" services, including online VR land viewing, selection, and leasing, greatly simplifying the land-use process for breeding institutions and enterprises.
The National Nanfan Bio-Breeding Zone has been fully established, providing comprehensive and integrated professional services for research institutions and enterprises, including land management for research, agricultural and agronomic management, and variety testing. Additionally, the zone is equipped with a "high-throughput plant phenotyping platform" that hosts over ten monitoring instruments, including Lidar, hyperspectral cameras, and depth cameras. This platform can provide detailed data on multiple traits such as lodging resistance, drought tolerance, and disease resistance that are invisible to the naked eye. "We have built a largescale, precise, and intelligent world-class crop phenotyping facility", said Peng Jun, director of the National Nanfan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The development of Nanfan has not only promoted the advancement of domestic agricultural technology but also provided a platform for international cooperation. Hainan Biosow Seeds, riding the tide of the construction of Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley, has bred tomato and pepper varieties that meet international market demands. With the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the company has attracted more overseas cooperation opportunities. The repeated purchases by foreign seed trader Amal further demonstrate the competitiveness of Chinese seeds in the international market.
The Rise of Agricultural Silicon Valley: Leaping into a New Era
In January 2024, the National Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Construction Plan (2023-2030) was released, clearly defining the four major roles of Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley. Accordingly,
Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley has been entrusted with an even greater historical mission.
The blueprint for high-quality development is being drawn with confidence from all sides. China Seed, SDIC Seed, and Longping Biotech are among the more than 2,800 agricultural enterprises that have already settled in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City. Meanwhile, the intellectual property protection services that benefit both businesses and the public have been further refined. The City is committed to fostering the most comprehensive service system in the country, featuring the most advanced technologies in the seed industry CRO (Contract Research Organization) sector. Additionally, it is advancing the reform of the "Five-in-One" comprehensive intellectual property management system, providing efficient guarantees for the orderly development of the Nanfan industry.
As the modern industrial system for Nanfan's seed industry continues to improve, new productive forces are rapidly taking shape. In 2023, the output value of the Nanfan seed industry exceeded 12 billion yuan, marking a 50% yearon-year increase. The new varieties and technologies nurtured in the fertile land of Nanfan are also spreading to
The rice panicles are full and the yield is good (left). Rows of corn stand in perfect alignment, swaying in the breeze (middle). The growing melons are bustling on the trellis (right).
more countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. For instance, the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences successfully promoted new cassava varieties in the Republic of Congo, significantly increasing yields and improving food security in several African regions. Agricultural industry demonstration parks, such as the "China (Hainan)–Cambodia Tropical Ecological Agriculture Cooperation Demonstration Zone", currently under construction, will further trigger regional agricultural development through exemplary projects.
"In the near future, Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley will undoubtedly become a 'flagship' for national seed industry innovation", said Qian Qian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and deputy director of the Yazhou Bay National Laboratory. Yazhou Bay National Laboratory, as a strategic national scientific force dedicated to seed industry innovation located inside the Valley, will focus on the agricultural needs of neighboring Southeast Asia and South Asia. It will put further efforts in seed industry innovation and international cooperation based in Hainan, so as to further merge with the international stage and to share achievements in seed industry innovation globally.
Korean seed companies are at the forefront of developing solutions to global agricultural challenges. To gain insights into this dynamic sector, Asian Seed speaks to Hyunkoo Yang, CEO of NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD., a subsidiary of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), who discusses the industry's strengths, emerging challenges and how his company is positioning itself to meet them.
COULD YOU GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE ABOUT THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE KOREAN SEED INDUSTRY?
In Korea, the cultivation area is decreasing every year due to the decline and aging of the rural population. Particularly, with climate change causing the Korean Peninsula to shift from a temperate to a subtropical climate, the cultivation map for fruits and vegetables across the country is rapidly changing. As a result, the domestic seed industry is expanding its reach to the global market to find new opportunities.
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has established and is promoting its "3rd Five-Year Plan for Seed Industry Development" from 2023 to 2027. This plan aims to foster seeds as a high-value export industry through technological innovation.
The plan presents five key strategies: the commercialization of new breeding technologies such as digital breeding; focusing on developing competitive key seeds; strengthening the establishment of three core infrastructures, providing policy support tailored to corporate growth and development, and improving food seed supply and fostering the seedling industry.
Additionally, under the supervision of the MAFRA, various programs are being operated to encourage seed exports through the "Agricultural and Food Export Support Project".
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES KOREAN SEED COMPANIES IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS?
Firstly, although South Korea lacks resources, it has become a strong trading nation based on its excellent talent. Similarly, I believe that the competitiveness of South Korea's seed industry lies in its outstanding human resources.
Secondly, Korean seed companies systematically nurture specialized personnel within the company in various fields such as breeding, biotechnology, production, sales and marketing, import and export, and quality management. By organically connecting these experts, they develop new varieties that did not exist before, thereby creating high added value.
In particular, the unique pioneering spirit and enterprising nature of Koreans are evident in the global seed market. This can be seen in the case of NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD. dominating the U.S. jalapeño pepper variety market.
Due to the rapid changing of the climate occurring worldwide, it is predicted that arable land and production will decrease, and the world's population of 8 billion will face a food shortage crisis. Consequently, there will be an increased demand for varieties with resilience to extreme weather conditions and disease resistance to overcome these rapid changes. Additionally, with the spread of smart farms or plant factories that can control the growth environment, there will also be demand for varieties suitable for smart farms. Focused research in these areas will be necessary.
Furthermore, as global interest in health has increased due to the impact of COVID-19 and other factors, I believe we should actively pursue healthfunctional varieties that offer antioxidant effects, immune function enhancement, detoxification, and anti-aging properties.
HOW IS YOUR COMPANY ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES?
NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD. is actively investing more than 15% of its annual sales in R&D technology to cultivate highquality functional varieties. Additionally, the company has established six overseas subsidiaries in China, the United States, India, Indonesia, Turkey,
and Myanmar, operating breeding programs to supply customized varieties to the global market.
The Chinese subsidiary focuses on breeding peppers and tomatoes targeting the Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Korean markets. The U.S. subsidiary concentrates on breeding jalapeños for Mexico and plans to expand to breeding sweet peppers and leafy vegetables. India and Indonesia are used as bases for breeding tropical varieties and seed production. The Turkish subsidiary is breeding tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers targeting the Mediterranean, European, and American markets. NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD. plans to gradually expand this global network to export and expand customized seeds tailored to local customers in markets worldwide.
WHAT FIELD DO YOU EXPECT NONGWOOBIO TO ACHIEVE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS? IS THE STRATEGY MORE FOCUSED ON OVERSEAS MARKETS, THE DOMESTIC MARKET, OR BOTH?
NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD. is a leading company with a market share of around 20% in the domestic vegetable seed market. However, the domestic market is stagnant, and the prominence
of imported seeds is intensifying competition among companies. Therefore, we are actively investing in quality and R&D technology to expand the release of disease-resistant and functional varieties, thereby increasing its market share.
Additionally, for certain crops like onions and bell peppers, there is still a high dependency on imported seeds from countries like Japan and the Netherlands. The company therefore plans to actively pursue the localization of these crops to continuously enhance the varietal strength of "K-Seed".
The global vegetable seed market is estimated to be worth $8.58 billion (approximately 12 trillion KRW) as of 2024 and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.7% until 2030. To overcome the limitations of the domestic market, it is essential to target overseas markets. As mentioned earlier, NONGWOOBIO CO., LTD. will actively establish a global network to position itself as a company responsible for the health of people worldwide.
This interview was transcribed and adapted from a video interview that originally featured on APSA Seed Insights newscast via apsaseed.org
In July, the committee announced a webinar on Plant Breeding Innovation (PBI), aimed at providing APSA members and regional Seed Associations with updates on the global regulatory framework for PBI. The webinar took place on August 13, with over 70 participants attending. Dr. Khaoula, ISF’s Regulatory Affairs Manager, delivered an informative presentation on regulatory oversight, trends, and challenges in PBI. In early September, the SC PBI Chair participated in the Plant Breeding Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture and Agroeconomic
Development workshop, jointly organized by APSA, DOA, and ThaSTA in Bangkok. During the event, Mr. Michael Leader highlighted genome editing advancements, such as short stature corn, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and accessibility for smaller institutions. He also advocated for a harmonized global genome editing policy to benefit research and innovation worldwide.
All in all, the quarter’s activities showcased APSA’s ongoing efforts to promote and support innovations in plant breeding.
On July 15-19, APSA’s three Standing Committees—IPR & Biodiversity, Plant Breeding Innovations, and International Trade & Quarantine—came together in a remarkable collaboration to ensure the success of the 2024 Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP) Regional Workshop on Seed Sector Development for Ensuring Food Security. Their collective efforts highlighted APSA’s commitment to fostering global food security through seed sector development, addressing key topics like Plant Variety Protection (PVP), intellectual property rights, plant breeding innovation, and seed movement.
In the third quarter, the SC IPR & Biodiversity committee was focused on advancing key
initiatives. Although August was a quiet month in terms of formal activities, the committee used this time to prepare for their third-quarter meeting held in September. During the meeting, they finalized topics for the upcoming ASC Technical Session, which will center on the theme "Accelerating and Safeguarding Innovation." These discussions are crucial for ensuring that intellectual property and biodiversity remain at the forefront of APSA’s initiatives.
Looking ahead, the committee plans to spend more time in their fourth-quarter meeting to discuss the group’s focus areas for 2025, as well as upcoming activities to benefit APSA members.
The SC ITQ committee has been diligently preparing for the upcoming APSA ASC technical session in Sanya, centered on the theme "Moving Quality Seeds Across Borders." This session will address critical challenges and opportunities related to international seed trade. The committee is committed to ensuring that the session will provide valuable insights and facilitate collaboration among public and private stakeholders.
In addition to the technical session, the SC ITQ committee has also begun planning for the 11th Phytosanitary Expert Consultation, scheduled to take place in February in Bangkok next year. This important gathering will bring together leading experts and national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) to discuss phytosanitary standards and practices, further enhancing the global movement of quality seeds.
Chair: Dr Chua Kim
Dr.
In the third quarter, the SIG Field Crops group had both exciting plans and unforeseen challenges. In July, the group announced the 2024 APSA Hybrid Rice and Corn Study Tour in collaboration with IRRI Vietnam. The tour, scheduled for September 29 to October 5, 2024, was designed to offer participants an immersive experience with field demonstrations, visits to research institutes, and interactions with industry leaders. However, in August, due to insufficient registrations, APSA made the difficult decision to cancel the tour. The SIG Field
Crops committee expressed their gratitude for the continued support from members and emphasized their commitment to future initiatives.
Looking ahead, the committee is preparing for their fourth-quarter meeting in October, where they will discuss plans for 2025. These plans will be further deliberated at the APSA Executive Committee meeting in December. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming activities!
In the third quarter, the APSA Seed Technology webinar series continued to achieve remarkable success. On July 11, the 2024 APSA Seed Technology Webinar Session 2 focused on seed health testing, attracting the highest number of participants in the series. Esteemed speakers Mr. Ruud Barnhoorn and Dr. M. Krishna Reddy shared valuable insights on essential seed health testing techniques and the management of seed-borne pathogens in vegetable and field crops.
Following this, on September 20, the third session of the webinar series, themed "The Science of Seed Storage: Innovation & Insights," took place. The session featured
Dr. Fiona Hay from Aarhus University, who presented on storage technologies and practices crucial for maintaining seed quality. Mr. Michel Devarrewaere, the 2022 APSA Awardee for the most influential seed technologist in the APAC Seed Sector, provided practical guidance on designing and implementing effective seed storage systems.
With these sessions, the APSA Seed Technology webinar series remains a key platform for professionals to exchange knowledge and advance practices in seed technology, continuing its reputation as one of the most popular webinar offerings in APSA’s initiatives.
Chair: Mr Rahul Pagar
Co-Chair: Ms. Linda Chang
The APSA WIC has been actively working together following their midterm meeting. Members have been keeping each other updated on the progress of key action points discussed earlier in the year. The WIC group is now focusing on the preparations for their highly anticipated physical meeting, which is set to take place in December in Sanya, China. This gathering will provide members the opportunity to discuss their progress, share insights, and strengthen their commitment to provide general information related to breeding technologies, IP protection, PVP, seed trade, seed production, processing, seed technology, etc. and address burning issues in APAC regions.
The DRT Working Group
In July, the bitter gourd powdery mildew subgroup met to discuss the availability of seeds for distribution to both international and local members following phytosanitary testing. Meanwhile, the watermelon fusarium wilt subgroup updated members on seed quantities, mailing addresses, and import
Despite significant efforts to organize an exciting study tour focused on urban and hi-tech farming for the SIG Veg & Ornamental group in Singapore and Malaysia, the committee has decided to postpone the tour until next year. This decision was made after careful consideration, as the committee wanted to ensure that the tour offers a more engaging and enriching experience for participants. Meanwhile, the group held its third-quarter committee meeting in
September, where they worked diligently to finalize the speakers for the upcoming ASC Technical Sessions. These sessions are anticipated to feature prominent experts from various sectors, offering invaluable insights on the latest trends and developments in the field. In addition to finalizing the agenda, the committee members also updated one another on the progress of various subgroup activities.
licenses to prepare for seed dispatch.
By August-September, the bitter gourd subgroup continued coordinating the seed distribution process, focusing on members within and outside the country. At the same time, the watermelon subgroup reached the final stage of dispatching seeds to four members outside Thailand, marking an important milestone.
In September, the watermelon fusarium wilt subgroup successfully exported seeds to members abroad, with some already confirming receipt. This success brings optimism for the bitter gourd subgroup, as they prepare for their own seed distribution soon.
In the third quarter of 2024, the R&D AG group organized two major events and welcomed a new member.
First, the group warmly welcomed Dr. Girish Patil, an accomplished R&D leader with over 25 years of experience, during his first online meeting in August. Dr. Patil, Vice President of
R&D at ACSEN Agriscience, brings a wealth of knowledge in developing sustainable agricultural solutions and driving global collaborations.
In September, the APSA Asian Solanaceous & Cucurbits Round Table (ASCRT) was held from September 24–26 at Chia Tai Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. The event, themed “Harnessing New Breeding Technologies for Climate Change-Resilient Vegetables,” attracted 164 delegates from 59 companies and organizations across 15 countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, and the USA. With 28 expert speakers, the event provided valuable insights into breeding, production, and seed technology. A site visit to Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) capped the event.
On September 27, the LSVBO "Thank God It's Friday" webinar featured prominent speakers, Dr. Shyam Sundar Dey of ICAR and Dr. Anangpal Singh of Syngenta, discussing innovations in cauliflower breeding, adding to the quarter’s achievements.
This past June 30 was a sad day for the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA). On that day, Mogens Lemonius, ‘Founding Father’ of the world’s largest regional seed association, passed peacefully away. As a tribute to him, here we reflect on the legacy that he left behind, followed by the story of the organization's foundation, relayed in his own words, as initially published in Issue No. 2 of
The day of Mogens' passing, June 30, also happened to be his 85th and final birthday, which, as you will read on the following pages wasn't the first fateful coincidences in this chapter of APSA's story.
A pioneer and visionary in the field of agriculture, Mogens was born in 1939 as the eldest of three children to a Danish farming family. Mogens' life was deeply rooted in agriculture from the very beginning. His father, originally from St. Petersburg, moved to Denmark in 1928 and established a successful farming career. Mogens followed
in his father's footsteps, gaining practical farming experience before pursuing higher education. He earned his M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the Danish Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College in 1965.
Mogens' career took a significant turn in 1972 when he was approached by the Federation of Danish Seed Growers’ Associations to become their national advisor. Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the seed industry, Mogens accepted the challenge and quickly became a key figure in the sector.
In 1978, Mogens joined the FAO’s Seed Service, where he managed national and regional seed projects, first in Swaziland and later in Asia. His work in Asia spanned 15 years, during which he provided invaluable policy advice, strengthened seed centers, and facilitated training programs across nine countries.
The idea of APSA was born out of these experiences. Despite initial skepticism, Mogens spearheaded the development of what would become the Asia and Pacific Seed
Association (APSA). His tireless efforts in organizing and promoting the association culminated in the foundation meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in September 1994, attended by over 240 delegates.
Mogens' leadership and vision have left a lasting legacy in the agricultural community. His contributions to the seed industry and his dedication to fostering international collaboration have been instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture in the AsiaPacific region.
Mogens' impact on the agricultural world and his legacy with APSA will continue to inspire future generations. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
Mogens is survived by his partner Ellen, his children Søren, Lars and Christina and seven grandchildren, who were a source of immense pride for him.
See next page for APSA's story as told by Mogens' himself.
Members and former colleagues who would like to share any memories or tributes of Mogens, and the early APSA days are invited to do so via our dedicated 30-year anniversary website:
30years.apsaseed.org
My father was born in St. Petersburg in 1911 and came to Denmark around 1928, where he worked in agriculture for 10 years before marrying a farmer’s daughter. . . .
The young couple rented an 18 ha farm, which they later bought, and my father became a Danish citizen in 1943. The two of them had three children, of which I am the eldest, born in 1939. My younger brother became a career officer with the Danish Army and my sister worked in financial administration which took her to Austria where she later married and settled.
From the outset, I was destined for agriculture. After working three years (1955-1958) on various farms and having finished military service (19581961), I attended six months of formal agricultural schooling before entering the Danish Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College in the autumn of 1961.
I got my M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics in 1965 and then stayed on one more year to continue studying agricultural economics. In August 1966 I got my first job as Agricultural Adviser for the Danish Association of Large Farms. I married in 1964. My wife (who passed away in 2012) and I had two sons and a daughter. None of them got anywhere near agriculture except when visiting their grandparents. The boys went into banking and research development, and our daughter became a skilled teacher. I got into the seed business by coincidence.
In the autumn of 1972, I was approached by the management of the Federation of Danish Seed Growers’ Associations. They needed a new national advisor. I told them that I knew nothing about seed and that I did not even know that Denmark at the time was (and still is) the most important supplier of certified grass seeds to the EU.
Members of the federation board told me that they would teach me about seed. Denmark would enter the Common Market (which later became the EU) from January
1973, and what they needed was somebody who could develop their organisation, establish efficient relationships with other players in the Danish seed industry, and set up efficient information and communication activities.
After six very educational years with the Danish Seed Federation, our family needed a change. I applied for and got a job with FAO’s Seed Service as project manager, first for a national seed project in Swaziland and later for a regional seed project in Asia. Both projects were financed by the Danish Development Agency DANIDA. We were 15 years in Asia, staying all the time in the same house in Sukhumvit, Soi 61, in Bangkok.
During the first 11 years (1982-
1993) I was running a conventional regional project, providing policy advice, seed centre strengthening and training to nine countries. As this project was coming to an end, colleagues in FAO’s Headquarters in Rome were suggesting that, after project completion, activities could continue within the framework of a network.
I was against this. I thought we had done the job we came to do and that it was time to go somewhere else. Furthermore, I did not want to be associated with a network that would eventually fail. FAO had, at the time, more than 100 networks on its books and only a handful of them were functioning. However, in the end we proceeded with the development of what was to become APSA.
After consultation with and agreement from senior executives from public and private enterprises across Asia and the Pacific, DANIDA agreed to provide funding for a third 5-year period on the condition that after two and a half years, the FAO staff would be terminated and an organisation be put in place, registered and with a board that could sign a contract with FAO. Against this, contract funding would then continue to arrive until the project ended. After that it was expected that APSA would be self-financing. At a meeting in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok, a preparatory committee of three executives from each of the region’s private and public sectors was formed.
It was agreed that rather than a network, the development of a regional association, funded through membership fees and meeting activities, should be pursued. Important inspiration was also found during visits to and the study of the Infofish network in Kuala Lumpur.
To be able to set up an organisation like this, your most important assets are addresses, and the FAO project had on record about 2,000 names and addresses of seedsmen and seedswomen across the region.
From there, the idea of an association had to be sold to the heads of seed enterprises not only within the Asia-Pacific region, but also in Europe and the US.
Throughout 1993 and 1994, I therefore found myself travelling across the globe visiting seed companies and government offices in both developing and already developed countries, to introduce the APSA project. Many private companies and national seed trade associations in developed countries were sceptical.
They felt that their needs were met by the International Seed Trade Federation and that APSA would only mean added organisational costs. But that soon
changed. Because of many years of excellent collaboration with and support from the Thai Department of Extension, we decided to hold the September 1994 foundation meeting in Thailand, with our Thai partners suggesting to use Chiang Mai as the location.
The meeting was attended by a little more
than 240 delegates with the Thai Permanent Secretary of Agriculture delivering the opening speech. APSA, together with the suggested Constitution and Bylaws, was agreed to, a board of 16 members was elected and funding arrangements were decided. The Asia and Pacific Seed Association was underway.
Continue reading about Mogens and APSA's foundation on the following pages, which contain a personal tribute to Mogens and his legacy as told by one of his close friends Michael Turner.
Ifirst met Mogens in Swaziland in the summer of 1980 when I was travelling in Africa to gather information for the course I was teaching in Edinburgh. He was managing an FAO seed project based at the Malkerns Research Station and was living on the campus with his family.
The project was well established and had already put in place facilities for seed production, processing and quality control, mostly for hybrid maize. That was in the era of ‘National Seed Projects’, which were always implemented under the government umbrella.Kenya was one of the few countries in Africa that had private seed companies at the time. We had good discussions about seed industry development and how projects should evolve, all useful for my teaching back home, and later two students came from the project to join our course. Mogens was an excellent correspondent and we kept in touch from then on, by letter of course as this was long before we had email.
I was not surprised when he said that he was moving on to a new FAO/Danida regional project in Bangkok. This was hosted by the Department
of Agricultural Extension on the Kasetsart campus in Bangkok, a very different setting to the small rural research station in Swaziland. By this time, Mogens had gained valuable experience in tropical agriculture and in working for FAO, with all its administrative procedures!
He was again accompanied by his family and his wife Anette became closely involved with the Anglican church in Thailand that was helping Karen refugees on the border with Myanmar. It was some years before we met again but it was obvious from his letters that he relished the challenge of this work in such diverse environments from Bhutan to Indonesia and the Pacific Islands! With a small support staff in the office (Linda, Mila and Sangiam), Mogens’ task as project manager was to visit countries in the region, make contact with key people
Michael Turner seedturner@gmail.com
in the Ministry, discuss the status of the seed sector, and identify activities that could assist its development.
He would then return to Bangkok and write up a proposal for inclusion in the work plan. I recall that the office was supremely well-organised; if you asked for any information, Mogens would stand up, look across the rows of box files and pull out the relevant document. I was fortunate to do two consultancy assignments for the project on seed legislation in The Philippines.
He enjoyed this work immensely and the project continued through further phases and extensions but finally it had to come to a conclusion, or in the
development jargon, to find an ‘exit strategy’. At a meeting of donors in Guangzhou in 1990 the idea of establishing a regional seed network was proposed.
This would be a logical step to build on all the information the project had gathered about national programs and the many personal contacts made. However, there was strong pressure to make this initiative self-financing and Mogens had doubts about its sustainability. We should remember that all the project activities had been with ministries of agriculture and they would be unlikely to support a secretariat in Bangkok.
To ensure financial viability, it was essential to cast the net wider and bring in countries with an established seed industry and where companies would see the benefit of participation. A key meeting was held in FAO Bangkok in June 1992 to bring together senior staff and managers from the public and private sectors across the region. The conclusion was that, rather than a network, there should be an association with a legal basis and a preparatory group was
set up to carry this proposal forward.
From then on it was Mogens’ job to bring this all together in a final phase of the project that would run from 1994 – 98 with the specific purpose of establishing the association that became APSA. It was necessary to write a constitution and to decide on key issues like elections and the level of subscriptions that would keep the new association alive through its early years. It was agreed to hold the inaugural Congress of the association in September 1994 and that was a tight schedule to put everything in place for a successful launch and make an interesting event that would attract participants from across the region and further afield.
This required tremendous effort but Mogens had the administrative skills to attend to all these matters and he reached out to many of the key companies and seedsmen in the region to enlist their support. These included Kuldip Chopra
in India, Nick Gardner in Australia, Heisan Koshibe in Japan, Willy Co in The Philippines, along with Manas Chiaravanond and Simon Groot who were nearby in Bangkok. They and others participated in the planning meetings to prepare for the congress and to establish the association. We should remember that private companies had no role in the preceding FAO projects so they had
were invited one by one to take their seat on the platform. Then to make a program for the Congress, Mogens had commissioned studies of the seed sector in key countries of the region, including China, Japan, India, Thailand and Indonesia; there were also presentations from international organisations.
The final phase of the project defined how long Mogens should remain in
It was necessary to write a constitution and to decide on key issues that would keep the new association alive through its early years.
to be introduced to the ‘development arena’, a rather different world.
The Congress was held in Chiang Mai from 27 –29 September 1994 with assistance from the staff of DAE and it attracted about 250 participants from companies, ministries and international organisations. The formalities of appointing an executive committee and approving the constitution were all managed perfectly by Mogens, the members of the first executive committee
to expand into the strong organization that we know today.
post and how responsibilities for running and funding the association would be transferred smoothly from FAO to APSA. It was first necessary to hire a Director and Noel Mamicpic from The Philippines was appointed to this position in April 1995, although he and the other office staff were still paid from the FAO project.
The next critical stage came in June 1997 when Mogens’ contract ended and all the office staff were transferred to APSA, which was by then an independent registered association. The financial situation at that time was quite fragile and it was an absolute priority to increase the income from subscriptions.
Fortunately, membership grew steadily once the annual Congress became a focus for trade, something that we now take for granted but was not foreseen at the beginning. Mogens made two more visits to APSA as a consultant and Noel retired in 2001. By that time, APSA had become a recognized part of the global seed landscape, its finances were secure and it has continued
Mogens continued to take a keen interest in the association and was ultimately made an honorary life member. He also attended some later congresses as a guest and to meet old friends, the last being in 2009 in Bangkok but with all his experience, and his love of travel, Mogens’ professional career did not end when he left APSA. He continued to do consultancies, some were back in Southern Africa and others in Asia. We travelled together on a mission in Central Asia and later he was a consultant for the project that I managed in Vietnam. He was always very focused on the work that had to be done but excellent company ‘after hours’.
Looking back over this story, we can truly say that APSA owes its existence to Mogens Lemonius, thanks not only to his knowledge of seeds and his vision, but most of all for his administrative and communication skills that made it happen. I believe that these personal qualities would have enabled him to play a decisive role in many different spheres so it was fortunate for all of us that he happened to land in Bangkok with the resources from his home country Denmark to achieve so much for seeds in the region.
We met for the last time at his home in October 2023 and spent two days talking about many shared experiences at APSA and elsewhere. It was a great pleasure to have known Mogens as a good colleague and friend over so many years. Sadly he did not quite live to see the 30th anniversary but the Association is a legacy that will live on.
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Taiwan HiPoint Corporation
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Henan Xinyan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
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Beijing Zhinong Baiwo Technology Development Co., Ltd.
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SICPA Thailand Limited
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AGROHAITAI LTD.
P. O. Box 45 , 2764 Governor's Rd. Lynden ON L0R 1T0 Canada
Shanghai Weller Agricultural Science and Technology Co.Ltd Room 319, 4 Building, 398 Songying Road, Qingpu, Shanghai, Shanghai 201712 China
HEBEI XIANGRUIDA SEED
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Guangzhou Keqin Seed Co Ltd Room 1215, 156 Nanzhou Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou , Guangzhou Guangdong 00000 China
WONNONG SEEDS
66-28, Jungangdaehak-ro, Daedeokmyeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17547 Korea (Republic of)
Blue River Seed Co. Ltd 1010, Block B, Huaye Building, Hedong District, Linyi City, Shandong Province, 276000 China
AASMA SEEDS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
MANJUSHA ARCADE, 2ND FLOOR, YELAHANKA NEW TOWN, SHIVA TEMPLE ROAD YELAHANKA BANGALORE KARNATAKA 560064 India
Jamjam Group G4 Surabhi enclave road 14, Banjara hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034 India
Luheng Technology Group Co.,Ltd. No. 1 Yard, Building 4, Gaoli Zhang Road,Haidian, Beijing, Beijing 100080 China
De Nova Seeds Private Limited H No 1-70, Opp Hanuman Temple, Munirabad, Pudur Post, Medchal Medchal Malkajgiri, Hyderabad Telangana 501401 India
Fazlu Seed Company
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GRA&GREEN Inc.
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JiuQuan JiuZhou Seeds Co.,Ltd 125,XiongGuan Road JiuQuan City GanSu 735000 P.R China
Agriciultural Firm AILITA 1, NANSENA PROEZD, 129343, MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
BHARATIYA BEEJ SAHAKARI SAMITI LTD
IFFCO Sadan C-1, District center -Saket Place New Delhi 110017, India
Ningxia Taijin Seed Co., Ltd. Zhenjing Village,Rouyuan County, Zhongwei, Ningxia 755000 China
Phenome Networks Ltd
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Oceania Agriculture Ltd PO Box 69158, Lincoln Canterbury 7608 New Zealand
Spring Seeds (M) Sdn Bhd No.42A, Jalan Solok, Tangkak Johor 84900 Malaysia
Elevatoz Loyalty Private Limited 3rd Floor, Jindal Centre, 100 Feet Ring Road, KHB Block Koramangala, 4-B Block Bangalore Karnataka 560043 India
Hebei Shenshu Biotech Co., Ltd No. 61 Dongniujiao Road , Xingtai Hebei 054005 China
BLUMEN GROUP SPA
Via Carlo Strinati 7/9, Piacenza, Piacenza 29122 Italy
