The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) joined the various international seed industry key players in this year’s 27th Asian Seed Congress (ASC), which was held from 14–18 November 2022 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. The Congress finally met face-to-face two years after the pandemic.
Organized by the Asia Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), the ASC is the largest and most significant annual event for the seed industry across the Asia and Pacific Region. It is a venue for 1,200–1,700 participants, composed of executives, representatives, scientists, policy-makers, and other stakeholders from various seed organizations to tackle updates, challenges, and opportunities in the development, production, distribution, regulation and trade of quality seeds across the region and the world.
The ASC offered opportunities to the seed producers and distributors to expand their networks and grow their businesses during trading and meetings. The delegates were updated during technical sessions, and were also regaled with various activities such as a golf tournament, cultural performances, a grand banquet, and tours to East-West Seed and Chia Tai Seed stations and facilities.
This year’s ASC convened approximately 1,200 delegates from different seed industry agencies, and businesses from more than 50 countries. The Congress was co-organized by the APSA with the Thai Seed Trade Association, in collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture and the National Science and Technology Development Agency.
Representing the Philippines, PSIA officials, President Mary Ann Sayoc and Executive Director Gabriel Romero with executives and officials from PSIA members, Allied Botanical Corporation, East-West Seed, Greenworld Agri-Farm Center, Enviro Scope Synergy Inc. FA Greenseeds Corporation, Pilipinas Kaneko Seed Corporation, Ramgo International Corporation, SeedWorks Philippines, and SL Agritech Corporation took part in this year’s ASC, sharing business developments and technologies with other seed businesses and organizations.
Coinciding with the ASC was the Annual General Meeting held on 17 November, where the APSA welcomed its new set of Executive Committee that will lead the Alliance for two years.
The PSIA is proud and honored to announce that PSIA Board Director, Dr. Frisco Malabanan of SL Agritech Corporation was voted as one of the board members of APSA’s Executive Committee for 2022–2025. Together with several board members, the APSA welcomed its new President, Dr. Manish Patel, Vice President Mr. Koh Teck Wah, and Treasurer Mr. Takahiro Ando.
Moreover, ahead of the official opening of the ASC, PSIA President Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc also attended the APSA: The Asia and Pacific Seed Association's Working Group of Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies (WIC) in Bangkok to discuss burning issues, initiatives, progress, and projects pertinent to regional, global seed supply and food security.
Like how seeds grow and develop their flowers into fruits, the Philippine seed industry continues to sow partnerships and bloom its network globally, demonstrating its reputation as one of the region’s advantageous and lucrative arenas for seed trade and development.
Aligned with the country’s vision to become a food-secure nation, the PSIA continuously strives to be a more adaptive, globally abreast, and supportive organization that will help facilitate safe and efficient seed movement within and outside the borders of the country, and ensure that our Filipino farmers have the access to high-quality seeds and agricultural services.
By Em-Em S. Mandanas
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