25th Asian Seed CongressAgricultureAsia Pacific Seed AssociationEVENTSPhilippine Seed Industry Association
Philippines Hosts the 25th Asian Seed Congress
The
biggest gathering of seed industry players in the world with literally hundreds
of seed experts, traders and buyers from all over the world are now in the
Philippines for the 25th Asian Seed Congress (ASC). The congress is jointly
organized by the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) and the Philippine Seed
Industry Association (PSIA). This will be the third time that our country is
hosting this prestigious seed conference.
APSA
is the biggest regional seed trade association with more than 600 members from
50 countries, accounting for more than one third of the global seed trade.
Since it’s inauguration in 1994 in Chang Mai, Thailand, this exclusive event
has attracted close to 2,000 delegates annually, including key executives,
officials, legislators and scientists who all share a common stake in the
development, production, distribution, regulation, and trade of quality seeds.
Anchored
on the concept, “Seed the Future,” the Congress also hopes to reinforce the
significant role that the largely ignored tiny seed play in our daily lives, as
the main source of our food, clothes, fuel, among other things.
“The Philippines
is proud to once again host this year’s Asian Seed Congress, especially as it
celebrates its 25th year. Our annual gathering is something that all
of us in the seed industry look forward to because it is the time where, together,
we learn new seed technologies, exchange views on regulatory trends, network
for seed trading, reconnect with colleagues in the industry, experience,
explore opportunities for farmers to further grow their businesses, and jointly
discuss strategies on how to better promote and protect the industry. We are
also excited on the business that will be generated in the trading tables
knowing that our regional seed industry is the strongest around the world,”
PSIA President Mary Ann Sayoc adds.
APSA President Brenda Dosseyfor her part said that the organization’s growth to become the largest
regional seed association in the world is through the cooperation of the Food
and Agriculture Organization and the Danish International Development Agency
aimed at promoting quality seed production and marketing in the Asia and
Pacific Region. Dossey adds that APSA has already established strong linkages
with international organizations for economic cooperation and development.
For her part, APSA Secretariat Acting Director
May Chodchoey said that “the Asian Seed Congress facilitates a prime
opportunity for stakeholders to get together in one place where delegates can
network, grow their business and get updates on the latest industry
developments and technologies, to gain an edge in the most populous and
lucrative region in the world.
Sen.
Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food,
said that while the Philippines may be regarded as one of the emerging leaders,
there is still a necessity to explore additional growth in this sector and
ensure that is protected by the right regulatory framework. Villar filed Senate
Bill 322, which seeks to set up a continuing national program for hybrid and
other quality seeds production which hopes to complement the existing SEED
Industry Development Act (SIDA).
The
two-decade old SIDA is up for amendment and the seed industry is excited
looking forward to additional measures that will improve, safeguard and
strengthen the country’s seed industry.
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