Plans Set For Korean Seed Lady, Leader APSA EC VOL.24 NO.2 Report and Mother Vacancies Maiden ACRT MAR/APR 18 Speakers, topics Trends over 20 Pamela Chan of The many benefits confirmed for months of seed trade Ramgo Seeds is our of joining APSA's apsaseed.org cucurbits event. in South Korea 'Woman In Seed' Executive board Cucurbits Calling

APSA plans 1st Asian Cucurbit Round Table

ASIAN SEED − 1 Have a Seed Join APSA, the world’s largest regional seed association

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The Asia & Pacific Seed Association | P.O. Box 1030, Kasetsart Post Office Bangkok 10903 Thailand Tel: +66−2−940−5464 Fax: +66−2−940−5467 Email: [email protected] apsaseed.org 2 − ASIAN SEED Asian Seed & Planting Material Volume 24, No. 2, Mar/Apr 2018 In this issue Official Publication ISSN 0859-1776 APSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2016-2017

Office Bearers 10 Korean Seed Report President Ms Brenda Dossey Import, export and market share trends from the land Vice President Mr Tahir Saleemi known as Hanguk.

Treasurer Mr Jack Metzelaar

Executive Committee Members Dr Tso-Chi Yang Dr Mi-Hee Yang Mr Tsukasa Kawakami Dr Dehua Ma Dr Casper van Kempen Mr Vaibhav Kashikar 15 Mr Muhammad Asim Butt Mr Isao Iuchi First Asian Cucurbit Mr Wichai Laocharoenpornkul Round Table Ms Michelle Klieger APSA joins up with KU to Executive Director host a new technical event Mrs Heidi Gallant Deputy Director dedicated to cucurbits in Asia Mrs Kanokwan Chodchoey and the Pacific. Membership Officer Mr Komsak Kamjing Business Development Officer Ms Suchada Yansarasin Liaison Officer (China) Mrs Xiaofeng Li Events Officer Mr Mike Kingpayom Membership Programs Officer 30 Mrs Kunaporn Phuntunil APSA EC Job Description Chief Accountant Ms Narima Setapanich Heidi Gallant explains the Communications Officer role and duties of an APSA Mr Steven Layne Cover Photo Executive Committee member. Asian pumpkin farmers

P.O. Box 1030, Kasetsart, Bangkok 10903, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2-940-5464 Fax: +66 (0) 2-940-5467 Email: [email protected] www.apsaseed.org 32 Asian Seed & Planting Material is published bi-monthly as the official Women In Seed publication of the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA). APSA is a provident organisation dedicated to the promotion Pamela Chan of Ramgo and improvement of the seed industry in Asia Pacific. Seeds talks about what it Asian Seed has a pass-on readership of 3,500 worldwide. Eighty percent of our subscribers reside in the Asia-Pacific region takes to turn a sad story into and include senior executives in seed enterprises, government agencies, universities and national seed associations. Unless denoted otherwise, figures are quoted in US$. one of success.

Subscriptions are available on the APSA website or from the Secretariat.

Editorial contributions and advertising enquiries should be sent to the Secretariat by email to [email protected] or steven@apsaseed. org. APSA holds the right to accept or reject contributions.

The contents of this magazine may only be reproduced with the written consent of APSA. ASIAN SEED − 3 APSA Needs You!

Brenda Dossey, APSA President

Greetings to all APSA and Learn New all those things. nominating yourself to members getting ready Skills – As an EC serve. Interested, but for the (northeasterly member, you work It certainly has also not sure if it is for you? monsoon) rainy as part of a group to been challenging, but Contact an EC member season. I wish you all make decisions in the best part has been – past or present – and successful planting, accordance with the working together as ask them about it. And and bountiful harvests APSA constitution. a group to meet the if you have served on to follow. challenges. the EC in the past, why You learn how the not consider returning We are going to have association works, During my tenure to the EC again? many vacancies on its history and help on the APSA EC, the APSA Executive make decisions for it has been a big Still not sure? If you Committee (EC) its future. responsibility for the have strong interest in coming up at the GAM EC to implement the participating, but are this year and again at 3) An Opportunity to new APSA constitution. not ready to commit the GAM in 2019. Make New Friends In doing that, much to being on the APSA & Get Acquainted work has been done EC, perhaps you would Reflecting on that, I with Other Cultures to strengthen our like to test the waters thought I might share – By constitutional management structure and become more with you some of design, the EC is a with written steps and involved in an APSA the reasons I think diverse group with protocols established. Special Interest Group you might wish to varied backgrounds. or an APSA Standing consider serving on There is no better Those measures have Committee and start the EC or becoming a way to learn about changed the role of your involvement that volunteer in one of our a new country or the EC from a group way? committees or special culture than to make of people who get interest groups. a friend who can tell together three times The only way you will you what it is like a year to a group ever be sure is to take Becoming An APSA first hand. that works via email that first step. Please Volunteer is: throughout the year do. APSA needs you. 4) A Point of Pride – between the face-to- 1) A Way to Give It is an opportunity face meetings. Also, be sure to read Back – This is a way to represent your the article on page 30 for you to contribute organisation and The meetings are of this magazine for to the seed industry your country on the characterised by even more reason to in the Asia Pacific committee and share much discussion join our EC. region, which is with others what it is and participation on beyond your present like where you come the part of all the EC We are united in role at your company from. members. APSA’s mission: or organization. Sustainable agriculture For me, being involved If you have not served through the production 2) A Chance to with APSA and being on the EC before, and trade of quality Make a Difference on the EC has been please consider seeds for the world.

4 − ASIAN SEED RESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ASIAN SEED − 5 Midterms, Congress Registration, Phyto Consultation and More

Heidi Gallant, APSA Director

The first quarter of 2018 has members this year and in be held July 19-21, will feature certainly flown by as the addition to finding out the latest two days of presentation and APSA Secretariat and I remain breeding innovations from World break-out sessions followed by busy planning and preparing Veg, it will be high on our priority a field day to view the latest in for all of the wonderful list to determine a specific cucurbit breeding developments. activities we have lined up for project for APSA members to members this year. work with WorldVeg on this year. The event is in partnership with Thailand's Kasetsart University, The first major agenda on the Also in May, we are delighted to and will feature a student poster calendar this year was our open registration for the 2018 session and presentation as well. first APSA Midterm meeting, Asian Seed Congress (ASC). A big thanks to our Research and which will have just passed by With an extra year to prepare Development Committee for their the time most of you read this. (due to the emergency swap work on this important event. Nonetheless, I would like to give in host countries last year), you all a little bit of background the Philippines Seed Industry We also look forward to the on this unprecedented Association has all their ducks in 4th Expert Consultation on benchmark for APSA. row and we are looking forward Phytosanitary Measures in the to one of the biggest and best Asia Pacific Region, planned at Historically, the APSA Special editions members have seen. the end of August. Interest Groups and Standing Committee have met through From the business offering to This successful series of conference call, the participants the social events, this will be events is making headway being located in various one ASC you certainly must with our region’s NPPOs as we countries in the Asia Pacific attend. Booth, Trading Table and encourage government-industry Region and beyond. delegate registration will all open collaboration, and stress the need at the same time, May 2, 2018 for consideration of whether seed This meeting, held on 24–25 April on a very similar platform to the is a pathway for pathogens as in Bangkok, Thailand was the first system we piloted in 2017. opposed to the plant/produce time we called our groups to meet itself. We will also continue to in person early in the year. A lot of Please be sure your membership introduce the systems approach to action plans were discussed and is already renewed so you won’t phyto regulation which is gathering confirmed for APSA’s activities have to wait, and are able to get steam in other parts of the world. for the rest of the year. Please your registration completed at note that minutes and outcomes the early bird rate. I will close this update with a of this meeting will be posted reminder to attend the next in the Members section of the As we head into the summer (or APSA GAM meeting to be held APSA website, so be sure to get winter for those of you down November 15, 2018 in Manila, updated. South), we will be hosting the the Philippines. first ever Asian Cucurbit Round Next up, we will be traveling to Table. Some preliminary details As always, if you have the city of Tainan this May for the can be found in our story on suggestions, questions or APSA-World Vegetable Centre pages 14–16, and the official feedback for me and the APSA Consortium Annual Workshop. program will be announced team, please don’t hesitate to get We have many more consortium shortly. This three-day event, to in touch. We are at your service.

6 − ASIAN SEED ROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

The APSA Secretariat on 29 March welcomed a team from Winrock International for a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony. The MoU, signed by APSA's Mrs. Heidi Gallant, and Winrock's William Sparks, cements ongoing collaboration between the two organizations in improving and developing the seed industry in several Southeast Asian countries. Read more on apsaseed.org.

ASIAN SEED − 7 NDUSTRY NEWS IN BRIEF... ASF Online Database Full of

APAARI Front and Center for ASEAN Pasture Seed Substitutes Food Security THE AUSTRALIAN SEED Southeast Asia food Federation (ASF) first security stakeholders released their Pasture met 23–25 January in Seed Products Database in Bangkok about improv- 2012, updating annually to ing agri-food innovation remove products no longer systems in the region. commercially available. The conference, held at Chulalongkorn Universi- Database products are list- ty, facilitated productive ed by species and grouped discussions around based on common traits “Agri-Food systems, such as flowering (heading) Rural sustainability and time, winter activity and Murray grey cows graze on a NSW pasture. Photo: Cgoodwin Socioeconomic Trans- ploidy. Intellectual property, formation in Southeast marketing and varietal sta- commercially available forage and fodder crops Asia”. The Asia-Pa- tus are identified, including have been increasing and some herbs. cific Association of which are “varieties” and significantly. As a result, Agricultural Research which are not varieties livestock producers, their Typical database use might Institutions (APAARI) (branded seed products). advisors and pasture seed be for livestock producers led a number of thought suppliers seek information to find suitable substitutes provoking presentations This independent verifi- relating to adaptation and for unavailable products. and discussions, focus- cation by ASF of variety performance, and intellec- ing on capacity building is an important character- tual property, marketing Variety and brand names with respect to green istic of the database. To and varietal status. are listed together with agriculture, climate re- qualify as a variety, new marketer details to assist silience and the estab- varieties' genetic stability To meet increasing de- in seeking further infor- lishment of an ASEAN and uniformity (morpho- mand for such information, mation. The ASF Pasture social and sustainable logical, physiological, the ASF Plant Breeders Seed product database is science network. More cytological, chemical or and Proprietary Marketers at www.asf.asn.au/seeds/ details on: apaari.org other) must be demon- Group created this logically pasture-seed-database/ strated and shown to de- structured, easily accessi- liver benefits claimed over ble database. For further details contact: Advanta Awarded for succeeding generations. Bill Fuller, CEO Australian ZEBA Soil Enhance- Products listed include an- Seed Federation ment Technology Australian pasture species nual and perennial pasture Email: [email protected] Advanta Seeds, A UPL and pasture seed products grasses, legumes, Mobile: 0488 400 988 Group Company, has won the prestigious Gulf Sustainability and HM Clause Tomato Takes Silver at Fruit Logistica CSR Award 2018 for the company's ZEBA tech- nology in the UAE and HM Clause’s ADORA the Middle East. ZEBA tomato on 9 February was is a soil enhancement, awarded a silver medal water and nutrient man- in the Innovation Awards agement technology competition of the 2018 which is already suc- Fruit Logistica trade show cessful in many geog- in Berlin. raphies and has diverse application from turf and The annual trade show at- grass, to landscaping tracts over 3,000 exhibitors and agriculture. “We are every year from the entire global produce sector, and very committed to the Fruit Logistica Awards are the most significant in the industry. process of not only wa- over 75,000 attendees. ter conservation, but the developed at HM Clause’s ical research station in Khon management of water The accomplishment Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Kaen Thailand, where focus systems to avoid wast- comes less than six months research centre in France. will be on tomato, hot pep- ed water and the costs after the official introduction For the moment, ADORA per, cucumber, watermelon, incurred,” said Kevin of ADORA to the produce is available in Switzerland, melon and tropical sweet Ashford, UPL Global sector at the Fruit Attraction Germany, United Kingdom corn. For more details see Technology Lead, Water trade show in Madrid. and Netherlands. apsaseed.org/News/. & Soil Technologies. The ADORA, a nutrient-rich In related news, HM Clause For more on ADORA, visit Marmande variety, was recently opened a new trop- tomato-adora.com.

8 − ASIAN SEED NDUSTRY NEWS ISTA eyes Asia for Annual Meetings By Dr. Andreas Wais With 225 member labora- itation, which would allow or from ISTA Accredited ISTA Secretary General tories in over 70 countries/ them to issue their test Laboratories – will not distinct economies world- results in a standardized increase. he Internation- wide, ISTA membership and internationally ac- al Seed Testing is truly a global network. cepted manner using ISTA The ISTA Certificates T Association (ISTA) In Asia, ISTA counts 66 International Certificates. assure that the test results will be hosting its next member laboratories and These Certificates facil- are reproducible, true and two annual events in 14 personal or associate itate international trade represent the quality of the Asia. Namely, ISTA 2018 members, making Asia one and function as a kind of seed. ISTA International Meeting, the 31st edition, of the key member areas Seed Quality Passport. Certificates exist in two will be held 11-14 June of ISTA. versions – the so-called in Sapporo, Japan, and In related news, Orange International Certif- the 32nd ISTA Congress, is Internationally, ISTA recently icate and the Blue Interna- planned 26 June–3 July, ISTA engag- announced tional Certificate. 2019 in Hyderabad, India. es with a new enhanced number of security pro- An Orange International The program of the organisa- tection mea- Certificate is issued when events includes the tions like be- sures for our both sampling from a seed technical workshops, a ing a founding Orange and Blue lot and testing of this sam- scientific symposium dis- member of the International Seed ple are performed under cussing the latest results World Seed Part- Analysis Certificates. the responsibility of ISTA in applied seed science, nership as well as operat- accredited laboratories. a detailed insight into the ing via a Memorandum of Effective immediately, the The results reported on an work of the ISTA Techni- Understanding with The new ISTA Certificates will Orange International Certif- cal Committees, including Food and Agriculture Or- possess an ISTA water icate refer strictly to the lot their achievements and ganization of the United mark, a unique registration as a whole at the time of future plans. Nations. number, bar-code sys- sampling. tem corresponding to the Uniformity in seed testing The ISTA membership unique registration number A Blue International is the mission of ISTA. consists of two main and an ISTA holographic Certificate is issued when Founded in 1924, with categories: Corporative, sticker on the bottom right sampling from the lot is not the aim to develop and which include Member portion of the certificate. under the responsibility of publish standard proce- Laboratories and Industry an accredited laboratory or dures in the field of seed Members; and Individual, Previous certificates may if seed mixtures are tested. testing, ISTA is inextrica- which include Personal still be used and costs bly linked with the history and Associate Members. of the new certificates – Interested parties may find of seed testing. Member Laboratories which can be ordered via more details under may receive ISTA accred- ISTA's website (url at end) seedtest.org.

‘Sow to Grow’ Seed Museum Thai-Dutch Ag, Seed Research Cooperation in Enkhuizen Showcases The agriculture University, Wa- ministries from geningen Univer- Dutch Breeding Benchmarks Thailand and sity and other key A new museum, Sow to Grow, is open in the Netherlands stakeholders. Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, featuring an joined with interactive introduction to plant breeding the respective The focus was that reveals its immense impact on food country’s leading APSA staff (center) with exhibitors. on four themes: supplies, climate and the environment. An agriculture univer- Precision Agriculture, initiative of the national museum Saet & sities in a meeting Food Forum 2018” Seed Innovation, Cruyt, in collaboration with Kranendonk to promote bilateral was presided over Green House Hor- Experience, Sow to Grow is supported by research in seed and by reps from Thai- ticulture/Agriculture people and companies in plant breeding, agriculture. land's Department of and Post-Harvest seed cultivation and seed trading. The Agriculture, Ministry Technology. The Netherlands is a leading center of plant Held 28–29 March at of Agriculture and meeting, which in- breeding. Topics include seed cultivation, the Golden Jubiliee Cooperatives and the cluded dozens of pre- trading, collecting, breeding, multiplica- Building, Kaset- Netherland's Ministry sentations, coincided tion, improvement, marketing and Nether- sart University, the of Agriculture, Nature with the signing of lands companies active in the trade. Sow “Thai-The Nether- and Food Quality, an MoU between the to Grow opens Tues–Sun, 10am to 5pm. lands Agriculture & as well as, Kasetsart two countries.

ASIAN SEED − 9 Heaps Hauled in Hanguk US$362mn worth of sowing seed traded to/from South Korea in 20 months

NO LESS THAN 251,638 TONNES tonnes. The average value of imported of seed was negligible, with outbound of sowing seed moved across South seed was $1,048 / t, while exported seed consignments worth about $770,000, Korean borders during a recent five- averaged $34 398/t. just over three-quarters of a percent of quarter, or 20-month period. Combined, the export market; Likewise, a nearly- these import and export consignments OUTBOUND 100-tonne surplus of husked paddy (3% were valued at US$362.2 million. An overwhelming majority of the revenue of volume) yielded a meager $170,000 That equates to an average of 12,582 from Korean sowing seed exports during surplus for the Korean economy. tonnes of seed traded per month, or the focus period derived from vegetable 150,983 t /year, making the Korean seed; even though this type of seed (see Most types of Korean field crop seed were sowing seed market worth no less than Veg section below for detailed country exported at values well below the mean of US$217 mn/year. analysis) made up only 38.5% (1,138.6 $34 398/t; namely, Korean maize traded t) of the total volume of outbound at an average tonnage rate of $15,779; A few things are clear from the data consignments, it generated an impressive paddy $1,705; millet $1,420; oats $2,747 analyzed: Korea remains heavily $99.26mn, or just under 98% of the total and seed potato $513. Vegetable sowing dependent on its trading partners for value of exports. seed varieties in contrast were exported well most categories of sowing seed, with above the mean, at $87,177/t. few exceptions; likewise, foreign seed Even so, the country had a significant suppliers across the globe continue to trade deficit for vegetable seeds – 4,580 Melon seed remains a lucrative category depend on the Korean market. tonnes at $38.2 million, equal to 229 for Korean seed traders. Notably, this tonnes, and $1.9 million deficit per month. category of seed was exported at an Indeed, during the 20 months analyzed, Deficits (more imports than exports) were average rate of $3,500/kg, which would Korea had a 159.21-million-dollar common across nearly all categories of equate to $3.5 mn/t. The total volume of sowing seed trade deficit, calculated from seed analyzed. Husked paddy and seed this type of seed export, however, was $101.53 mn in exports against $260.74 potato were among the few categories only 177 kg. These seeds, worth a total mn in imports. Exports accounted for that yielded an export surplus for Korea, of $621,000, were imported by Japan 2,951.66 t of seed, while imports in terms of both volume and value. (84 kg worth $585,000); Algeria (41 kg mounted to a staggering, 248,687.242 Though seed potato made up more than worth $12,000) and Spain (45 kg worth half (1,499.69 t or 51%) of Korean seed $13,000). exports, the revenue for this type

South Korea, which is referred to by South Koreans as 'Hanguk', depends on seed imports to supplement locally-grown crop seed.

10 − ASIAN SEED EED REPORT INBOUND A majority of the 248,687 tonnes of sowing seed imported into Korea during the focus period were forage seeds, representing 93% (238,815 tonnes) of inbound volume, but only 38% ($99.3 million) of the total import market value.

These forage seeds mostly came from Australia (214,410 t worth $63.7 mn or $297/t); as well as the USA (9,779 t worth $23.2mn, $2,375/t). Other suppliers of forage seed to Korea The pie graph highlights Korea's top seed suppliers, as measured by a were China (799 t @ $3,344/t); South Africa percentage of the total value of veg seed imports, worth $124.2 million. (191 t @ $4,549/t); India (125 t @ $2,565/t); Denmark (14 t @ $7,985/t); Canada (4.5 t @ $2,666/t) and Israel (810kg @ $4.9/kg). VALUABLE VEGGIES of the market, equating to an Korean veg seeds were exported average price of $90.4/kg. Field crops made up just 4.2% (10,349 t) of the to 94 countries, with the top three imports, but commanded 6.3% ($16.4mn) of the importing countries accounting for The second biggest market for market. And though vegetable seeds made up just 64% of total demand; namely, Japan Korean vegetable seed was the 1.5% of inbound consignments, they contributed to (287.8 t, 25%); Indonesia (262.8 t, USA, which imported 37.4 t worth nearly half or 48% of total value. 23%) and Pakistan (168.6 t, 15%). $14.6 mn, or nearly 15% of the market, at an average $392.12/ Melon seed was a relatively lucrative category for Other leading importers were India kg; India imported 262.8 t worth seed importers in Korea, who generated $432,000 (4.3%); USA (3.4%); Italy (3.3%); $13.76mn or 14% share, with an by importing 2.3 tonnes of this popular type of fruit China (3%); Singapore (2.5%), average price of $52.3 per kg. seed, equating to an average price of $185 per kg, Malaysia (2.2%) and Syria (1.8%), or $187,826 per tonne. while the 83 other countries Of the top ten importers of accounted for the remaining 15%. Korean veg seed, six countries These seeds came from China (1,531kg worth paid higher-than-average rates. $204,000); Thailand (449kg, $57,000); India Korean veg seeds were exported Kazakhstan imported Korean veg (250kg, $49,000); Japan (51kg, $98 000); at an average price of of $87.2/ seeds at the highest premium of Myanmar (17kg, $2,000); Chinese Tapei (10kg, kg; Korea’s top export market in $671/kg; followed by the USA who $12,000); Chile (5kg, $3,000); Peru (2kg, $4,000); terms of value was the Chinese, paid $392/kg; Russia $335/kg; Indonesia (2kg, $1,000) and the USA (1kg, $1,000). which imported 287,797 t worth Egypt $107;kg; Thailand $104/kg $26.018mn, just over a quarter and China $90/kg. Top importers

This line chart show import and export price trends for horticulture crop seed, wihich include vegetables, herbs and flowers.

ASIAN SEED − 11 Updates from the Korean Seed Industry New board elected at KOSA 2018 General Assembly At their annual meeting last January, the Korean Seed Association (KOSA) elected a new President, Vice President, 11 Directors and two Auditors, whose tenures are effective 2018–2019. Their positions, organizations and names are listed in the table to the right. Spinach Latent Virus among 28 Jong-Woo Lee Sang-Geun Kim pests, pathogens on revised Korean Quarantine List Position Company/Organization Name Consignments of spinach seeds imported into South Korea President Hyundai Seed Co., Ltd. Lee, Jong-Woo will no longer be screened for Spinach Latent Virus (SpLV). The Korean Seed Association (KOSA) confirmed the news Vice President Korean Seed Association Kim, Sang-Geun after the Plant and Animal Quarantine Agency, which is the National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) of South Korea, on 9 Director Koregon Co., Ltd. Yang, Dong Hyun February published a revised list of 28 “Non-Quarantine Pests” to its website. According to KOSA, SpLV in spinach seeds Director Nongwoo Bio Co., Ltd. Choi, You-Hyun had been on the NPPO’s radar in recent years; however, after consultation with KOSA and concerned companies, the list was Director Sakata Korea Co., Ltd. Byun, Sang Ji reviewed last year with recent data and scientific evidence, prompting the NPPO to revise the list. Director Samsung Seed Co., Ltd Lee, Sung Yong 2018 Korea Seed Expo Director Farm Hannong Co., Ltd. Kim, Yong Hwan The 2nd Korea Seed Expo is set to be held from Director Asia Seed Co. Ltd. Ryu, Kyoung Ou 23–26 October at the K-Seed Valley, a state-of- the-art seed and breeding R&D complex in Gimje-si Director NONGHYUP Seed Cho, Nam Shik Jeollabuk-do. Organized by the Foundation of Agri. Tech. Commercialization & Transfer (FACT) the event Director Taewoo Seed Co., Ltd. Cho, Hang Jin is sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Director Kwonnong Seed Co. Rural Affairs, Jeollabuk-do Province and Gimje City, Kwon, Oh Ha and supported by a number of key seed industry Director PPS Co., Ltd. Park, Sang Gyeon organizations including the Korean Seed Association (KOSA) and the Korea Seed & Variety Service (KSVS). It Director Biotong Yoon, Jun Choel will feature a number of exhibitions and demonstrations aimed at promoting the Korea seed industry development Audit Good Seed Co., Ltd. An, Young Sik through international seed trade opportunities. Watch this space for more updates and details. Audit Sun Seed Co., Ltd. Lee, Ju Sung

obtaining Korean veg seeds at below average rates were Vietnam ($73/kg); Japan ($60/kg), Pakistan ($59/kg) and India ($52/kg)

The 3,688 t of imported veg seed, which was worth $125.3mn, had an average price of $33,973/ tonne. Though these seeds came from 47 nations, 88% of the seeds came from just five countries: namely, New Zealand (1,324 t, 36%); China (903 t, 24.5%); Italy (426 t, 11.5%); USA (319 t, 9%) and Denmark (260 t, 7%).

Korea’s top ten veg seed suppliers were China ($28.2 mn, 22.5% of total value); Japan ($18.9mn, 15%); New Zealand ($12mn, 9.6%), Thailand ($10.9mn, 8.7%), Italy ($10.5mn, 8.7%), Chile ($8.5mn, 7%), India ($6mn, 4.8%), Peru ($5mn, 4%), USA ($4.8mn, 3.8%) and Netherlands ($3.6mn, 2.9%). The remaining 37 countries that exported veg seed MARKET SHARE: The pie graph highlights the top importers of Korean vegetable to Korea during the focus period accounted for seeds during a recent 20-month (five-quarter) period, shown as a percentage of the 21.7% of the total import market. total value of Korean veg seed exports, which were worth US$99.2 million.

12 − ASIAN SEED EED REPORT Seed Movements (tonnes/month)

ABOUT THIS REPORT The analysis, observations in this report are based on international trade data reported by the International Trade Commission, which cites Korea Customs and Trade Development Institute (KCTDI). APSA does not provide any guarantees about the validity or accuracy of the data, tables, charts or analysis, which can be corroborated by querying the ITC database directly. The report is intended to highlight general trends but does not represent the full picture of seed trade, particularly in respect to domestic demand and consumption. Specific queries about domestic trends should be addressed to the Korean Seed Association (kosaseed.or.kr), or the Korean Seed and Variety Service (seed.go.kr). Most of the data referenced in this report covers a five-quarter (20-month) period, from May 2016 to December 2017, with the exception of references to Korea’s international trading partners for vegetable seed imports and exports, as well as forage seed imports, which was logged from the period starting June, 2016 through to January, 2018. The types of sowing seed analyzed include field crops (maize, rough paddy, soya bean, sugar beet, barley, cotton, groundnut, millet, oats, seed potato, sorghum and wheat); forage (alfalfa, clover, fescue, ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass); fruits and various types of horticulture crops, including herbaceous flowering plants, spores, herbs and vegetables.

ASIAN SEED − 13 Asian Cucurbit Round Table 2018 The Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) in collaboration with Kasetsart University (KU), is proud to host the 1st Asian Cucurbit Round Table 2018 held from the 19th – 21st of July 2018 at the Vajiranusorn Building, Kasetsart University (Bangkhen Campus). APSA is offering corporate sponsorship to companies and organizations looking to show their support for this scientific co-operation to improve the health of cucurbit crops. Your generous support is critical in making this event a success. Weare offering several categories of sponsorship opportunities:

SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS $ 5,000 USD $ 3,000 USD $ 1,500 USD

Complimentary Delegates 5 Delegates 3 Delegates 1 Delegate

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Advertising in APSA Asian Seed Magazine Issue no. 3 Full-Page Quarter-Page

Recognition by MC on each program day

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For more information, please contact APSA Secretariat at [email protected]

14 − ASIAN SEED sian Cucurbits Round Table All About Cucurbits Planning in Full Swing for Maiden ACRT this July in Bangkok

PSA, in collaboration with Kasetsart University (KU), A looks forward to hosting the maiden Asian Cucurbit Round Table (ACRT), which will take place in Bangkok 19 – 21 July.

To be held at the Vajiranusorn Building, Kasetsart University (Bangkhen Campus) with technical sessions on the first two days, the ACRT will conclude with a field visit to the World Vegetable Centre’s Tropical Research Station at APSA Secretariat staff confirmed plans with Kasetsart University during a meeting in March. KU’s Kamphaeng Saen campus In anticipation of the event, grown and consumed. There “There is now a real need to on the third and final day. Asian Seed reached out to the are fruits, salad vegetables, manage seed-borne pathogens ACRT organizing committee Nutraceuticals and cooked and seed health in cucurbits The focus of the event and one of the keynote vegetables in this range. There for the future viability of will be on key commercial speakers of the event to find is also a specialty market for cucurbit breeding companies. cucurbit crops, which include out the significance of cucurbits cucurbit seed consumption in watermelon, melon, bitter in Asia, and what we might many markets in and outside “At the ACRT, some of the gourd and cucumber; though expect from the maiden ACRT. Asia,” he said. most significant topics will discourse will also apply to be discussed by key people other commercially important Dr Seetharam, who is working on important market curcurbits such as pumpkin, Technology Lead For APAC Veg traits. It is a great opportunity squash and zucchini. R&D, Syngenta, and has a PhD to share, learn, generate ideas in plant molecular Biology From for future R&D. This is also ACRT will serve as the Wageningen University, has a forum where interesting ideal research forum, been closely associated with public-private partnerships featuring presentations from DH (double haploid) production are developed relevant to the accomplished, expert keynote for Cucumbers in APAC to industry. Companies having speakers, in addition to a panel support breeding programs, an interest to further grow discussion led by and closely the opportunities in cucurbits representatives “There is now a real need to oversees various in Asia, must consider from research resistance participation in this maiden institutes, manage seed borne pathogens programs for event.” universities and and seed health in cucurbits for the viral and fungal seed companies. pathogens. Dr. Narinder Dhillon, who leads future viability of cucurbit breeding the Global Cucurbit Breeding Discussions Asked what Program of the World Vegetable will focus on companies.” – Dr. A. Seetharam he thought Center in Thailand, has been topics spanning should be the excitedly preparing trials that Cucurbit main focus will be showcased at the event. diseases, quality management Dr. Annadana Seetharam, Co- for cucurbit research in and diagnostic assays, chair of APSA’s R&D Working the region, Dr. Seertharam During a recent inspection of advanced breeding technology, Group, and representative from identified several priority the proposed field trials, an country market updates the ACRT Organizing Committee areas; namely, disease APSA delegation sat down with and challenges in Asia. The elaborated on why APSA resistance to key pathogens, Dr. Dhillon whose passion for meeting will decided to organize this event: developing seedless cucurbits is contagious. also explore potential watermelon and working collaborations between the “Asia is one the regions where on the flowering biology of “Among the cucurbits, private and public sectors. a variety of cucurbits are bred, cucurbits. cucumber, watermelon,

ASIAN SEED magazine − 15 melon, squash and pumpkin, bitter gourd and Luffa are commercially important crops to the Asian seed industry. Low genetic diversity in elite hybrids of these cucurbit species have rendered the cucurbit crops to biotic and abiotic stresses and limited the long- term yield improvements.

“Characterization and evaluation of unexplored cucurbit landraces and their use in breeding programs will help to address these challenges. Discussion among the participants in ACRT will pave the way to forge collaborative research linkages Dr. Dhillon (right) led an APSA delegation on an inspection tour of WorldVeg's trial plots in Kamphaeng Saen. and exchange of ideas, leading towards solutions to achieve sustainable cucurbit breeding and production targets in Asia,” Confirmed ACRT Speakers & Topics he said. • Dr. Xingping Zhang (Syngenta Company): Advances, Challenges & Future Prospects of At WorldVeg, Dr. Dhillon is Watermelon Breeding in Asia currently working on the development of bitter gourd • Dr.Channarong Seepiban (BIOTEC): Development of Immunodiagnostic Assays for and tropical pumpkin inbred Cucurbits Plant Pathogens in Thailand lines and F1 hybrids for the • Dr. Saengsoon Charoenvilaisiri (BIOTEC): Diversity of Begomoviruses Infecting tropics, with focus on improved Cucurbits and Solanum Plants in Thailand yield and quality, multiple disease resistance and heat • Dr. GK Hedge (Noble Seeds Company): Challenges, Future Prospects of Bitter Gourd in tolerance. India

Dhillon plans to expand • Dr. Narendra Dhillon (World Vegetable Center):Update on World Veg Cucurbits Breeding WorldVeg's cucurbit crop portfolio by including global • Prof. Emeritus Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen (Senior advisor to the President of NSTDA): Luffa breeding initiatives. Collaboration opportunity with Seed Cluster, Thailand (NSTDA) Prior to joining WorldVeg in 2010, he worked at Punjab Moreover, the program will include presentations and break-out sessions from several Agricultural University (India); other renowned experts with focus on the following proposed topics: University of California, Davis (USA); Plant Breeding • Advanced Breeding & Disease Trends; Chalenges & Future Prospects in Cucurbit International Cambridge (UK); Breeding Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences • Cucumber Diseases (CGMMV, BFB and GSB) in Thailand and Management Thereof (Japan), The Institute for Food Research and Technology • Public-Private Partnerships and Collaboration Opportunities (IRTA), Spain and French National Institute for Agricultural • Present Status and Future Prospects of Cucurbits Breeding in India and Research Research (INRA), France. Collaboration Opportunities • Market Trends and Challenges of Cucurbits in Asia and Southeast Asia, Korea and In addition to the bitter gourd Japan field trial inspection led by Dr. Dhillon, Assist. Prof.Dr. • Tospo Viruses, CGMMV and Begomoviruses in Cucurbits Surapong Dumrongkittikule will introduce the facilities of KU's • Bacterial Fruit Blotch (BFB) and Gummy Stem Blight in Watermelon and Melon: Root Tropical Vegetable Research Cause Analysis and Preventive Actions Center (TVRC).

At press-time, confirmed For the updated program, and registration details, see apsaseed.org/ speakers and topics are as events/; or email [email protected] / [email protected] listed in the box to the right.

16 − ASIAN SEED orticulture Exhibitions Planting Pakistani Potential The Pakistan Horticulture Expo 2018, organized by the Punjab agriculture department, was held at the Lahore Expo Center 13 - 14 January. More than 150 exhibits by ag- was highly profitable while riculture technology and input increasing both employment providers, fruit and vegetable opportunities and commer- processors, wholesalers, retail- cialization in rural areas. "Lots ers, exporters and various gov- of investment opportunities ernment and non-government are emerging in Pakistan to organizations characterized support sustainability of qual- the event – the first of its kind ity food production,” he said, in Pakistan – and drew over adding that the government Staff from Haji & Sons, a key exhibitor and longstanding member of APSA, pose cheerfully with the visiting APSA delegation. 15,000 visitors, including for- is, "committed to facilitating eign delegates and prospective foreign investment by providing "Agriculture technology pro- later demanded that: "Con- buyers from 40 countries. technical services." viders highlighted the need for cerned authorities in Punjab's farmers to embrace the latest Agriculture Department contin- The show highlighted Paki- APSA's team attended the technological innovations to ue holding such events." stan's potential in the fruit, show, and was well-cared for achieve competitiveness in the vegetable and high-value by representatives of APSA Vice international marketplace." The Expo, they said, provided agriculture President opportunity for farmers to gain sector. Tahir Saleemi's Monsanto Pakistan’s Country access to new markets and company, Haji Lead, Aamir Mirza, told introduce Pakistani horticultur- Punjab Gov- & Sons, as well delegates at the show: "Ad- al products to the world. They ernor Malik as APSA EC vancements in plant breeding, felt the event spurs increased Muham- Member, Mu- biotechnology and precision production, profits and invest- mad Rafiq hammad Asim agriculture continue to im- ment, and that such events Rajwana Butt of Rachna prove crop productivity, yields should be organized in other inaugurated APSA EC Member, Muhammad Agri Business. and produce quality across provinces as well. the exhibition, Asim Butt with APSA delegation. the world. noting that APSA used the The business-to-business the event opens new doors opportunity to survey Lahore "In addition to augmenting trade show was established of opportunity for producers, as a potential location for the farmer profitability and compet- with the aim of transforming exporters and others in Pakistani Asian Seed Congress in 2020. itiveness, sustainable agricul- Punjab into an emporium for horticulture. He called it "a mega ture technologies are central to world-wide business dealing event." Punjab's Agriculture Among the exhibitors was ensuring global food security in fresh and processed fruits Monsanto. In a statement for future generations." and vegetables, to create Department Secretary Muham- released by the company after By way of agreement, various international linkages, and mad Mahmood said horticulture the show, it was noted that: Pakistani farming organizations boost trade. APSA attends VietNam Horti, Floral Tech Expo The 1st International Exhibition The event was the first such & Conference for Horticultural specialized exhibition and con- and Floricultural Production and ference in Vietnam. Horticulture Processing Technology, organ- and floriculture are among the ized by The Netherlands’ Nova most promising sectors of the Exhibitions, was held 14–16 Vietnamese economy, which has March at the Saigon Exhibition been averaging 7.5% growth in and Convention Center in Ho recent years, making it one of Chi Minh City with support from the world’s most dynamic. Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Chodchoey presents on seed production best practices. and Rural Development, a talk on our association, and to understand critical control Fruit and vegetable exports the Netherlands’ Embassy, the guidelines for vegetable seed points in managing IP risk, from Vietnam have enjoyed Vietnam Fruit & Vegetable Asso- crop production best-practices. phytosanitary measures and strong growth recently, aver- ciation (VinaFruit), and the Dalat seed-quality production through aging 26.5 percent annually; Flower Assoc., among others. “We received great feedback the seed multiplication process,” and growing from US$439 as both seed company and said APSA Deputy Director, Dr. million in 2009 to US$3.5 APSA attended and presented seed producers see the need May Chodchoey. billion in 2017.

ASIAN SEED − 17 Crop Loss Special: Take Two Changes in the climate spell sustained crop losses for Asia, the Pacific In the last issue, we wind and hail storms. minima and climate Research by the Eu- discussed the upcom- The seed sector should change. ropean Space Agen- ing Solar Minimum, take note. cy corroborated that and what In “Volcanic Eruptions study’s solar-volcanic it may mean for In this follow-up report, and Solar Activity”, a link. A 2003 report weather, climate, ag- we share our crop-loss 1989 study by NASA’s entitled “Possible cor- riculture and the seed data maps from East Goddard Institute for relation between solar industry. and West Asia, pin- Space Studies, strong and volcanic activity in pointing a number of correlation was noted a long-term scale”, con- That report’s maps emerging weather and between sun cycles firmed that “prolonged highlighted crop-loss climate trends affecting and major volcanic maxima of surface air trends throughout agriculture in China, eruptions. Data span- temperature correspond South Asia, Southeast the Korean Peninsula, ning five centuries to prolonged maxima of Asia and Oceania, Japan, Turkey, Jordan (1500–1980) reinforced solar activity and mini- suggesting that, as and Israel. the hypothesis that, ma of volcanic activity. solar activity diminish- when the sun is less This agrees with the es, changes to Earth’s Complementing these active (solar minima), explanation that vol- climate will follow – maps (see pp 20–23) is frequency of large- canic dust and gasses putting food our report on volcan- scale volcanic cause a decrease of the security in jeopardy. ism, another harbinger eruptions increases. observed surface air of solar minima. temperature.” A puzzling, contradic- The reason? Solar tory array of natural Increased volcanic flares (to which our The report postulates phenomena char- activity – largely over- atmosphere is more that: “Because increase acterised previous looked in the Climate vulnerable during solar of volcanic activity is solar minima: intense Change dialogue – is minima) “cause chang- expected in the next flooding, droughts, nonetheless important. es in atmospheric decades, a small de- and cooling, as well circulation patterns that crease in the air tem- as geo-magnetic and MAGMA & MINIMA abruptly alter the earth’s perature should follow.” convective chaos in Numerous studies link spin,” precipitating erup- [Střeštik, 2003]. the form of cyclones, volcanism with solar tions. [Stothers, 1989]

Mount Agung near Bali Indonesia, which erupted late in 2017, is one of dozens of active volcanoes in the region showing increased activity.

18 − ASIAN SEED rop Loss Report

MAPPING TRENDS To help Asian Seed readers and APSA members start to track and identify emerging climate and weather trends and patterns – whether in respect to the adverse impact on agricultural produc- tivity from flooding, drought, frost, snow, hailstorms, volcanic eruptions or pest and disease infestations REGIONAL TRENDS: Our crop loss data, which spans most APSA territory countries, is logged using – we’ve started an initiative to track crop Google MyMaps and Google Earth KMZ format. Detailed files and data are available to APSA members. loss in an online map Reason thus suggests ing effect on weather. in controlled concen- and database. that the sun influences For example, the Philip- trations, ash can be a climate systems directly pines’ Mount Pinatubo, farmer’s worst enemy. In last issue (Vol- (through geo-mag- in June 1991, released ume 24, Issue 1) we netism and cosmic an estimated 20 mega- For these reasons published data and maps from Oceania ray-induced cloud tons of sulphur dioxide steaming Asian volca- (Australia & New Zea- nucleation, as covered into the atmosphere, noes are on our radar. land); South Asia and in previous articles) and causing global mean At press-time, 30 ma- Southeast Asia. In this indirectly (by triggering surface temperatures to jor volcanoes were in issue, on pp 20–23, earthquakes and vol- cool 0.5 degrees Cel- eruption around the we feature East, Cen- canic eruptions). sius the following year. world. More than a third tral and West Asia. Resulting climate effects lie in APSA-territory As Asia’s Ring of Fire were observed over the countries: four – Sina- Mapping events in comprises most of the next three years. [Rob- bung, Dukono, Ibu and 2016, 2017 and 2018 world’s active volcanoes, ock, 2002] Semeru – are in Indone- is only the start, how- this topic commands sia; two – Bagana and ever. Since weather is concerned with short interest – especially in Likewise, it is believed Kadovar – in Papua New term patterns, and Japan, Indonesia and eruption of Indonesia’s Guinea; three – Yasur, climate the long term, the Philippines. Mount Tambora in 1815 Ambym and Aoba – in it will thus require (during the Dalton Solar Vanuatu; one – Sakura- continuous tracking In a 2011 report, Minimum) precipitated jima – in Japan; one to confidently discern “Explosive volcanic the infamous “Year – Heard – in Australia; between freak anom- eruptions triggered by without a summer” docu- and one – Barren Is- alies, and emerging cosmic rays: Volcano mented across the globe land – in India. Dozens long-term patterns. as a bubble chamber”, in 1816. [USGS, 2016]. more in the aforemen- But as the legendary Japanese researchers tioned territories are quote by Lao Tzu examined 11 In addition to medi- under yellow and orange goes, “A journey of a thousand miles major volcanic erup- um-term impact on warning alerts, with high begins with a single tions in Japan over the weather and climate, probability of near-term step”. Come, join the previous three centu- increased volcanism upgrade to red. journey with Asian ries, and found a statis- immediately threatens Seed. tically significant corre- agriculture. Particularly Several online resourc- lation between violent vulnerable are open fields es track global volcanic eruptions and increase in the vicinity of volca- activity in real time (e.g. in galactic cosmic rays noes – as many Japa- volcanodiscovery.com). CROP LOSS KEY during solar minima, nese farmers learned last Flood, Storm, when a majority of the February when Mount Also, be sure to sub- Deluge, Cyclone Drought, eruptions occurred. Shinomoedake in Ja- scribe to the Asian Moisture Stress They postulated that pan’s Kagoshima Pre- Seed news alerts for Pest, Disease the increase in GCRs fecture erupted. Its thick up-to-date coverage Infestation Volcanic, Hail, triggered the eruptions. layer of ash-fall devas- of events affecting Geomagnetic [Ebisuzaki T et al, 2011] tated exposed shitake the Asian seed indus- Frost, Snow, mushrooms, white leeks, try. To subscribe, click Blizzard Heat wave, FIRE TO ICE white cabbage, broccoli, 'Contact' on apsaseed. stress Volcanoes are fiery while white onions, rice and org, or email Steven@ erupting but have a cool- wheat. Though fertile apsaseed.org.

ASIAN SEED − 19 Japan and the Korean Peninsula

Mixed bag of extremes From drought to flood and hail on the Korean peninusla; typhoons to blizzards in Japan, locally produced produce is getting more expensive, while the dependence on imports is on the rise.

The agriculture sector in East Asia is under constant threat from extreme weather events. Japanese farmers continue to face the wrath of devastating cyclones year-round, while also suffering from one of the coldest winters in decades. Likewise, South Korean agriculture has not been immune from extreme cold fronts, in addition to intense hailstorms. Meanwhile, North Korea is struggling to adapt to fluctuating rain patterns affecting its already fragile food security.

Period Location Climate-Weather Event Affected Crop(s) Korean Peninsula 2017 July North Korea: North Hamgyong Province (Chongjin and Kimchaek) and Danchon in South Hamgyong Province drought followed by heavy rains maize 2017, June North Korea: South Hwanghae Province drought conditions paddy, wheat, barley chemical contamination (fipronil, bifenthrin and other 2017 August South Korea, Gyeonggi, South Chuncheong pesticides) eggs 2018 January South Korea: Jeollanam-do heavy snow farms, greenhouses 2018 January South Korea: Chilgok County winter drought cucumber, tomatoes, flowers 2018 January South Korea: Daegu, Gyeongbuk and Dalseoung goon in Daegu city in Gyeong sang buk winter drought onion, garlic and other crops 2018 January South Korea: Gwangam-dong area of ​​Cheonduk-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province winter drought lettuce apples, omisia, beans, cucumber, vegetables, red pepper, plum, tobacco, pears , grapes , peaches, and agriculture 2017 April-Sept South Korea: Gyeongbuk: Andong, Mungyeong, Yecheon, Cheongsong, Bonghwa, Pohang, Gumi and Yeongju hail storms facilities , mushrooms and plant crops . 2018 January South Korea: Hwangsan-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do overheated boiler in cold weather pepper 2018 Jan South Korea: Naju H5 avian fluenza ducks 2017 July South Korea: Namye District, Pohang City water shortage rice 2018 February South Korea: South Jeolla: Haena, Jindo cold spell cabbage, Chinese cabbage, tea South Korea: Yeongcheon si, Sangju Si and Goryenog gun, Gyeonbuk province and Jeju islnd and Jeonnam field and horticulture (greenhouse) crops, grapes, root 2018 March Proviince heavy snow crops, livestock facilities, Japan Typhoon Lan in October, landslides, chilly temperature lettuce, cabbage, hakusai (Chinese cabbage) and daikon 2017 Oct-Dec Japan: ( Shizuoka Prefecture) 470 grocery stores in all 47 prefectures in November and prolonged precipitation (radish) 2017 Dec Japan: Chiba Storms and Saltwater Intrusion Dikon 2017 July Japan: Fukuoka, Akita, Kumamoto prefictures Typhoon number 3 (Nanmadol, Namadolu) paddy, vegetables, fruit 2017 April- September Japan: Hokkaido Typhoon weather potatoes leeks, spinach, onion, cucumber, paddy, greenhouses, 2017 Oct Japan: Maebashi, Isesaki, Shibukawa, Ota City, Agatsuma region Typhoon No. 21 & 22 livestock facilities. 2017 Dec Japan: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and fisheries typhoons, heavy rains lettuce, chinese cabbage and dikon 2018 January Japan: Motegi district, Nagasaki City record snow and cold loquats damaged by snow 2017 Sept Japan: Okinawa, Hokkaido, Niigata Typhoon No. 18 (Talim) cotton, sugar can, fruit, rice 2017 Oct to Dec Japan: Chiba, Kagoshima, Kochi Typhoons, No. 21 and 22 vegetables, cabbage, fruit trees, trains, soybeans horticulture crops, peppers, greenhouses, livestock, fruit 2018 Feb Japan: Hokuriku, Hokkaido heavy snow trees 2018 Japan: nationwide weather-induced market inflation leafy veg, root veg, fruits shitake mushrooms, white leek, white cabbage, broccoli, 2017--2018 Japan: Kirishima Mountain, Shinomoedake (Shimomedo), Miyazaki and Kagoshima, Makinaon Town volcano eruption rice, livestock, Nigauri, white onions, rice, wheat 2018 March Japan: Kamatsu City, Ishikawa prefecture and Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture heavy snow tomatoes and other horticulture crops

20 − ASIAN SEED ROP LOSS REPORT

Period Location Climate-Weather Event Affected Crop(s) Middle East & West Asia 2016 November Iran: Mazandaran Province frost orange, livestock 2018 January Iran: Fars Province pest Infestation: Citrus, Fig, Date, Lime pomegranete, citrus, barley, alfalfa, 2017 Nov Iran: Kerman cold weather horticulture crops 2017 June Iran: Kerman, Semnan and Qom Provinces pests: pistachio pests pistachio pest infestation: black spots, fungle, flint, fruit apples, apricots, peanuts, peach, almond, 2017 May Iran: Northern provinces flies, peanut cholera pistachio, olives 2017 Dec Iran: Qazvin, Tehran, Alborz, East Azarbaijan H5N8 avian fluenza chickens 2017 Dec Iran: Shahmirzad pest infestation: leopard moth, walnut worm walnuts pomegranate: plums, peaches, shaflowo, 2018 January Iran: Yazd, Taft, Meybod, Mehriz Ardakan and Takzar pest Infestation: Fruit flies apricots and some citrus, 2018 Feb- March Iran: Dehloran, Mehran, Abdanan, the valley of the city, delay in rainfall for some cities wheat 2017 Iran: Razavi Khorasan, Ardebil infestation: Moroccan locust wheat 2018 March Iran: Mazandaran water shortage in rivers rice 2017 Aug Turkey: Antalya: Elmah, Korkuteli; Isparta; Kırşehir’s Mucur; Corum heavy rains, flooding agriculture fields, greenhouses, bees 2017 July Turkey: Istanbul hailstorm tomatoes and other undeclared agriculture 2017 July-Aug Turkey: Istanbul: Izmir: Gümüldür province, Bayındır province, Muğla, Antalya, Denizli, Erzurum and Ankara fires bees, turtles, wildlife infestation: invasive weed (Ambrosia agricultural crops, public areas and natural 2015 Israel: Emek Hefer confertiflora) shrubbery Israel: Nahariya, Kafr Manda, Ramat Yishai , Kiryat Bialik and Hadera in Haifa District, Tel Aviv, Holon and 2017 October Ramat Gan, Nahal Og, early rains, flashfloods undisclosed 2017 November Israel: Agamon Hula infestation: migratory birds undisclosed 2018 January Israel: north drought undisclosed 2018 January Israel: Golan Heights and northern Israel, Negev and Judean deserts and the Dead Sea storms, floods, mudslides undisclosed 2018 Jan – Feb Israel: Nahal Tze’elim, Tel Aviv, Lake Kinneret, Haifa, Tamra, Hadera and Netanya, flash floods, torrential rain undisclosed 2018 January Israel: Golan Heights snow, cold weather undisclosed 2018 February Iraq: Diyala water crisis averted by rain undisclosed 2018 February Lebanon: Beirut unseasonable rain, cold weather chickpeas 2015 January Jordan: Jordan Valley frost zucchini, potato sub-zero temperatures, subsequent 2016 January Jordan: Jordan Valley: Amman salt treatments potato, tomato, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, 2016 November Jordan: Jordan Valley frost beans, potato, citrus 2018 February Saudi Arabia: Madinah hailstorm unknown

West Asia, Middle East Most of the climate change leads we have come across in West Asia and the Middle East were in Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Iran, which included hail, frost, floods and droughts. News reports of pest problems are especially rife in Iran, which continues diligently to protect its valuable wheat and citrus crops.

ASIAN SEED − 21 Hot & Dry Episodes Drought and heat waves continue to pose a threat in vast cropping regions.

Market Freeze Intense blizzards, typhoons and geomagnetic storms have been responsible for the destruction of crops en masse. The knock-on effect is seen across local and international produce markets.

Since China is a leading consumer and producer of agriculture goods, even the smallest disruptions there can be felt around the world.

Though unrelenting blizzards this past winter have been the main culprit for crop loss throughout East Asia, other extreme weather events have only compounded the situation.

Namely, heat waves last summer affected productivity in many parts of China: Hangzhou, Chongqing, Fuzhou and Xinjiang. Also that summer, intense drought was reported in China's Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia, which also affected North Korea.

The latest climate-induced havoc in the mainland has come in the form of convective lightning and hail forces in south-central regions, which devistated fruit, field and horticulture crops.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei agriculture has suffered mostly from cold weather and typhoons.

22 − ASIAN SEED rop Loss Trends China, Chinese Taipei

Period Location Climate-Weather Event Affected Crop(s) China crops and livestock: 7,100 hogs, 215 2017 July China: Anhui and Hunan heavy rains, flooding bulls and 5.14 million fowl 2016 July China: Anhui, Hunan flooding crops: unkonwn virus: tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and 2017 Sept China: Hainan Cucurbit chlorotic yellow virus (CCYV) vegetables China: Hangzhou, Chongqing, 2017 July Fuzhou and Xinjiang heat wave up to 40 degrees celsius cotton, tomatoes China: Heilongjiang, Liaoning and corn, soybeans and other large autumn 2017 Jun Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region drought conditions crops China: Hunan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous crops unknown, livestock: hogs and 2017 July Region heavy rains, flooding freshwater fish 2017 June China: Liaoning Hailstorms and rain corn 2017 Nov China: Qionghai City heavy rain, flooding crops 2017 June China: Yunnan heavy rain, strong winds banana, rubber, sugarcane China: Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan 2017 June-July and Guizhou. heavy rains, flooding fish, corn 2017 June 29-July 3 China: Beijing heat wave up to 40 degree Celsius crops: unknown 2017 June 29-July 3 China: Changsha heavy rains crops: unknown dry pastures, thirsty livestock, little rain 2017-April-Jun- China: Inner Mongolia since April, May very hot pastureland, livestock China: Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, 2017 Dec -- 2018 Henan, Shanxi, Hunan and horticulture crops, vegetables, fruit trees Jan Chonqing Municipality heavy snow and wind and tea leaves China: Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, 2017 Dec -- 2018 Henan, Shanxi, Hunan and horticulture crops, vegetables, fruit trees Jan Chonqing Municipality heavy snow and wind and tea leaves 2018 February China: Henan strong wind onion seedlings, garlic sprouts, wheat China: Nanchang County, Jinxian County, Anyi County, Xinjian greenhouses destroyed: vegetables, District, Qingshanhu District: dragon fruit, strawberries, watermelon, 2018 March Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province sudden lightning, wind, stormy weather grapes China: Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, greenhouse vegetables, nurseries and 2018-March Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi lightning and hailstorms field crops Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei: Yilan, Pintung County, Hualien County, New 2017-July Taipei City Typhoon Nesart, Haitang onions Chinese Taipei: Yilan, Pintung County, Hualien County, New 2017-July Taipei City Typhoon Nesart, Haitang livestock: chickens, ducks, pigs Chinese Taipei: Yilan, Pintung County, Hualien County, New 2017-July Taipei City Typhoon Nesart, Haitang fisheries & aquatic farms Chinese Taipei: Yilan, Pintung County, Hualien County, New agriculture produce: bananas, guavas, 2017-July Taipei City Typhoon Nesart, Haitang grapefruit, and mushrooms 2017 June Chinese Taipei: Greater Taipei crop damages, domestic shortage leafy: cabbage 2017 June Chinese Taipei: Greater Taipei crop damages, domestic shortage banana wholesale 2017 June Chinese Taipei: Kaohsiung City flood damage undeclared Chinese Taipei: Taichung City, 2017-July Taitung County flood warnings undeclared 2017 June Chinese Taipei:Li Shan crop damages, domestic shortage leafy: lettuce, sword leaf "A tsai" (A菜) 2017 June Chinese Taipei:Yilan crop damages, domestic shortage leafy: Napa cabbage, bok choy, cucumber Chinese Taipei: Hsinchu County, Kaohsiung City, Penghu County, pears, wax apple, tankan, watermelon, 2018 February Pingtung County cold weather dates, livestock, fisheries Access Country Crop Loss Data Online The full mapping data, complete with summaries, damage assessments and references for pinpointed climate- induced crop loss events, is availble via Google MyMaps and KMZ format (Google Earth) Good Standing APSA members, as well as keen researchers, may request access, by emailing [email protected]. Members in mainland China, can obtain the raw data spreadsheets, by emailing [email protected] succeeds his father, Simon.

ASIAN SEED − 23 24 − ASIAN SEED SEAN FOCUS THASTA Appoints New EC

THE THAI SEED

Trade Association สมาคมการค้าเมล็ดพันธุ์ไทย (ส.ก.ม.ท.) (THASTA) held its THAI SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION (THASTA) annual General Assembly Meeting Executive Committee at the Rajpruek Club on 5 March, Name Position 2018. 1. Dr.Chairerg Sagwansupyakorn President Dr. Chairerg Sagwansupyakorn (left) was re- 2. Mr.Manas Chiaravanond committee The meeting appointed as THASTA President through to 2020. 3. Mr.Pachok Pongpanich committee coincided with its president, Dr. want and need you a cheerful gala Chairerg Sagwan- as our member. 4. Ms.Vanida Angsuphan committee dinner, which supyakorn. The EC 5. Mr.Sumeth Pinyosanit committee followed the members, whose "As seed trad- 6. Dr.Boonyanath Nathwong committee association’s appointments were ers, it is pertinent 7. Mr.Boonme Okman committee annual fundraising that we remain confirmed in a 8. Mrs.Suvannee Prathuangsit committee golf tournament, meeting last week, loyal to our work 9. Mr.Wichai Laocharoenpornkul committee held earlier in the will serve as the and customers. day at the same association’s man- You can only fool 10. Mr.Chaowalit Tangariyakul committee venue. agement board somebody once. If 11. Mr.Sathin Kunawasen committee through to 2020. what you sell and 12. Mrs.tapanee Attamangkune committee At the GAM, tell to them turns 13. Mr.Ko Tung-Yuen committee the association Addressing the out to be some- 14. Mr.Aek Marutaralert committee reviewed annual GAM at its clos- thing different, this finances, projects ing, Dr. Chairerg will not only only 15. ….Form Pioneer committee and plans before offered some inspi- reflect badly on 16. Mr.Montri Chunthawoodtiporn committee formally announc- rational words. you, but will have 17. Mr.Chakree Klubdee committee ing appointments consequences for 18. Mr.Pichit Setthakeeretikun committee for its 18-mem- the entire industry. “Seed associa- ber Executive If we can’t have re- tions need mem- Mr.Vinich Chuanchai Advisor Committee (EC), bers more than liability and trust in Mr.Sakorn Tripetchpisal Advisor including the members need the industry, then re-appointment of associations. We we have nothing.”

Myanmar Agri Network อาคารสถาบันค้นคว้าและพัฒนาผลิตภัณฑ์อาหาร Holds Maiden ม.เกษตรศาสตร์ ชั้น 7 ห้อง 732 GAM เลขที่ 50 ถนนพหลโยธิน แขวงลาดยาว เขตจตุจักร กรุงเทพฯ 10900 โทร. 0-2955-1710-1 โทรสาร 0-2955-1712 The Myanmar Agriculture Network (MAN) success- fully organized its first General Annual Meet- ing on 16 March, which brought together key stakeholders of the country's budding seed and agriculture sectors. The GAM was attended by various agriculture, seed stakeholders from local and international organizations.

These included seed over by Dr. Tin Htut, Per- In all, about 180 active ture network and market- producers, traders, and manent Secretary of the participants attended. place for public-private reps from various local Ministry of Agriculture's MAN, an initiative of Grow partnership and val- and international organ- Livestock and Irrigation Asia, is divided into various ue-chain initiatives, izations, including APSA Department. U Hla Maw working groups. thereby "empowering and the Vegetable Sector Oo, Director General smallholders and boost- Acceleration Taskforce of the Ministry of Com- APSA is a key partner of its ing farm productivity in (VSAT), which was recently merce Consumer Affairs Seed Group. an environmentally-sus- appointed lead partner in Department, also attend- tainable way," according MAN's Horticultural Group. ed, as did reps from the MAN aims to become My- to MAN Country Director The GAM was presided Netherlands Embassy. anmar's leading agricul- Aung Lwin.

ASIAN SEED − 25 uture Smart Food Future Smart Food to the Rescue The UN's Food and chemical fertilizers to be important for Agriculture Organi- – and often prove the seed industry, zation (FAO) counts resilient to climate but we also see some 30,000 edible change and adverse urgent need for species worldwide, farming conditions," crop diversification, but astonishingly, according to the and the FSF initia- 90 percent of hu- FAO RAP's Senior tive addresses this Cow Peas are one of the 39 Future Smart Foods that will be promoted in the initiative. Photo: Sengai Podhuvan man caloric intake Policy Officer and need by promoting comes from just Regional Initia- production and First, participating methodology set- 103 crops. Mean- tive Zero Hunger trade of other crops countries prepared out for evaluation while, an estimated. Challenge Delivery with high econom- a preliminary eval- and selection. 490 million people Manager Xuan Li. ic and nutritional uation of available in the Asia-Pacific potential.” of NUS crops. "The FAO has region suffer chronic APSA recently Second, technical long-standing hunger, accounting visited the FAO RAP To discover which assistance was knowledge and for 62 percent of the office in Bangkok species to promote offered through successful expe- world's undernour- to discuss potential as future smart multi-disciplinary rience promoting ished people. collaboration on the foods, the FAO, in reviews and val- neglected and un- project. partnership with idation for each der-utilized species Addressing this 30 national and country, with the as valuable resourc- challenge head on, "The objectives of international organ- FAO conducting es for sustainable the FAO's Regional the FSF initiative izations, set up an a Regional Expert agriculture and rural Office for Asia and are very much in international mul- Consultation on development," Xuan the Pacific (RAP) line with our own," ti-disciplinary expert Scoping, Prioritizing observed. has pulled out all said Dr. May Cho- panel comprising and Mapping of stops to encourage dchoey, APSA leading experts in NUS. Finally, each More about the and promote the Deputy Director. agriculture, nutrition country selected FSF Initiative will be cultivation of ne- "Owing to the and socio-econom- up to six promising featured in the up- glected and un- impact of climate ic disciplines. NUS candidates for coming FAO publi- der-utilized species change on agri- promotion as future cation, Future Smart (NUS) via its Future culture, farmers in The panel partic- smart foods. Food: Rediscovering Smart Food Initia- our region face an ipated in a three- Hidden Treasures of tive (FSF). increasing number stage regional The 39 crops Neglected and Un- of challenges that priority-setting already on the derutilized Species Initiated in 2016, the require unique solu- exercise, conducted FSF list are only a for Zero Hunger in project focuses on tions. Staple field by governments, beginning; the list Asia. For more infor- 39 crops in Bangla- and horticulture national and inter- will grow as more mation, see www. desh, Bhutan, Cam- crops will continue national partners. crops pass the rigid fao.org/publications bodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and West Bengal in India (see table).

"These foods are smart because they bolster dietary diversification; im- prove micro-nutrient intake; enhance soil health; require fewer The table lists potential Future Smart Food crops shortlisted in eight countries in South and Southeast Asia, including inputs such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and West Bengal in India

26 − ASIAN SEED FSTA Biotech Big at AFSTA ome 450 delegates from S 50 countries world-wide attended the latest African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress. The event, which was hosted from 27 Feb to 1 March Photo Credit: African Agricultural Technology Foundation at the El Nile Conrad Hotel in Cairo, was Gates Foundation, described as "the most who discussed the successful gathering of African seed industry seed merchants on the vis-à-vis plant breeding [African] continent." innovation, and Dr. Hennie Groanewald, Exec Emphasis was on Manager, Biosafety South biotechnology, and on Africa, who dilated on the regional and international impact of biotech in Africa issues having scientific over the last 20 years. and technological THREE CONTINENTS IN ONE: APSA Executive Director, Heidi Gallant implications for seed Dr Groanewald said with Justin Rakotoarisaona (Secretary General of AFSTA) and Garlich production and trade. Africa has yet to von Essen (Secretary General of the European Seed Association). take advantage of "devastating". at the Congress included: APSA Executive Director biotechnology's benefits CropLife International Heidi Gallant, who was and urged the continent's On a positive note, he (CLI); the International among the delegates, seed companies spoke admiringly of the Seed Federation (ISF); the praised the importance of to explore ways of International Treaty on International Seed Testing the meeting. developing biotech Plant Genetic Resources Association (ISTA); the products to meet rising for Food and Agriculture Union for Protection "So many important needs attributable to (ITPGRFA) and African of New Plant Varieties industry stakeholders climate change. benefit-sharing within its (UPOV); and the African and organizations attend framework. Intellectual Property this event, and it’s a The congress was Organization (OAPI). great chance to find out preceded by a half- Seed companies what's happening in most day workshop on seed were challenged by AFSTA was founded in countries in the African treatment centering on Mohammed Soliman 2000 in Lilongwe, Malawi region,” she said. management of the fall Mohamed, Deputy and meets annually the Mrs. Gallant participated armyworm (Spodoptera Chairman of the first week of March. in the working groups frugiperda), a moth Agricultural Research Membership comprises and plenary sessions. that originated in the Institute of Egypt, in his 114 seed companies; Americas and invaded opening remarks, to 26 African national seed Among the speakers Africa in 2016. The pest ensure excellent crop trade associations; and were Lauren Good, has caused significant management and that more than 40 associate Senior Program Officer damage to crops -- breeders continually members world-wide. of the Bill and Melinda notably maize -- in 28 select correct genotypes Twenty seed companies African countries. AFSTA for production as had exhibits at this year's Secretary General Justin means of reducing food Congress. Rakotoarisaona insecurity in Africa. described the The next AFSTA armyworm's Aside from APSA, Congress will be held in depredations other international Mombasa, Kenya from currently as organizations represented 5–7 March, 2019.

ASIAN SEED − 27 NDIAN SEED CONGRESS Eighth ISC Impresses HE NATIONAL SEED meer Mulay, meanwhile, In addition to doubling Association of India stressed that the organiza- farmers income, another T (NSAI) successfully tion is working to “double hot topic was Cashless organized the 8th Indian farmers’ income not only Transactions in Agricul- Seed Congress 2018 5– 6 in India but all over the ture, facilitated through a February at the Hilton Hotel world....” The target date talk led by Sunil Prasad, in Colombo, capital of Sri for achieving that goal in Assistant Director General Lanka – the first time the India is 2022. To that end, of the West Bengal Unique gathering has been held five techinical sessions were Identification Authority. internationally. Congress held covering: Global Seed theme was Seeds Beyond Industry Trends; Internation- The 8th Indian Seed Con- Boundaries. al Movement of Seeds; Bio- gress was attended by technological and Molecular seed and allied industry The annual forum spotlights Approaches; Progress and leaders, policy makers, the latest trends in the Review of Plant-Breeding; members of the scientif- seed sector; voices mem- and a Seed Association ic community and other ber concerns; deliberates Panel Discussion. interested parties. try’s voice. It was attended new technology; looks at by 37 business leaders. ways to overcome barriers Technical sessions fea- Prior to the meeting, on 4 to technological devel- tured an array of key topics February, a CEO Conclave The 9th Indian Seed Con- opment and showcases that focused on the latest provided a platform for gress will be held 4–5 Feb- new product ranges and technological trends and strengthening the indus- ruary, 2019 in Hyderabad. services. In his welcome advancements a pertinent address, NSAI President M to the Indian seed industry, Prabhakar Rao noted that spanning everything from the sub-continent’s seed CRISPR-CAS, genome sector is growing apace and editing, GM, transgenic and observed that India is where hybrid breeding, to seed “the next green revolution is treatments, nanotechnol- slated to happen,” adding ogy, Seed Quality Assess- that the Congress provides ment, Advanced Next opportunity for “participants Generation Sequencing to get updated.” Technology, quarantine and phytosanitary measures, as In addition to technical sessions and cultural shows, another NSAI Vice President Sa- well as seed regulation. draw to the Indian Seed Congress is its trading platform.

GOLDEN RITES: Executives conduct a symbolic ritual at the 8th Indian Seed Congress Inaugural Ceremony: From left: Vaibhav Kashikar (Convener, ISC 2018); M Prabhakar Rao (President, NSAI); Sameer Mulay (Vice President, NSAI); Manish Patel (Co-Convener, ISC 2018); Pranjivan P Zaveri (General Secretary, NSAI) and Kalyan B Goswami (Director General, NSAI). Photo Credit: NSAI

28 − ASIAN SEED HINA NATIONAL SEED CONFERENCE

First CNSC a Success ELD 26-27 me great confidence terms of independent seed industry innovation policy, officials from March at the to promote the Chi- R&D, seed quality, environment and mo- the Department of H China National nese seed industry. innovation of institu- bilizing enthusiasm for International Cooper- Convention Center, It was also a great tion and mechanism innovation are near-term ation, the Department the meeting attracted opportunity for friends, and environmental attainable goals,” Mr of Crop Production, more than 700 key partners and distin- policy and the legal Zhang said. the Bureau of Seed seed industry stake- guished guests from system. In support In other forum busi- Management, the Sci- holders from around international seed insti- of future editions, ness: experts from the ence and Technology the world. tutions to gain a better CNSTA will continue Chinese Academy of Development Center The conference understanding of the to fulfill its roll as a Agricultural Sciences, and the National Ag- afforded delegates op- Chinese seed industry. trade association to the China Agriculture ricultural Technology portunity to take part CNSA is committed to promote the healthy University, the Agricultural Extension and Service in the summit forum promote continuous development of Research Center of the Center of the Ministry and high-end training, innovation to ensure China’s seed industry Ministry of Agriculture of Agriculture and and in six sub-forums the success of future and its active partici- and Rural Affairs, and Rural Affairs provided – Policies and Regula- meetings, in service of pation in international the Beijing Academy of training at the confer- tions, Rice Innovation, developing a Agricultural ence on “new situ- Maize Innovation, modern seed Sciences deliv- ations, new policies Seed and Seedling industry.” “Optimizing the seed ered academic and new tasks.” Innovation, Service Weihong reports on At the International and Support and Tian, Secre- industry innovation cutting-edge Cooperation Forum, International Coop- tary General breeding US and Indonesian eration. The two-day of the Chi- environment and technology for representatives dis- event was organized nese National mobilizing enthusiasm staple crops, cussed issues related by the China National Seed Trade seed industry to breeding technol- Seed Association Association, for innovation are near supporting ogy, quarantine, and (CNSA) under the who served technology and protection of intellectu- theme: “New era, new as a member term attainable goals.” seed produc- al property rights. mission, new industry, of the CNSC tion insurance. Moreover, products new journey”. organizing Central Ag- and services of 16 The meetings and committee said, “This cooperation." ricultural Work Leading key stakeholders were forums facilitated dis- was the first event of In his address at Group Office Director showcased at the cussion, with presen- its kind to be held in the conference, the Zhu Weidong offered in- conference, including tations and workshops China. It definitely ex- Ministry of Agricul- struction on interpreting those of nine APSA directed at reinforcing erted a positive impact ture and Rural Affairs the 2018 No. 1 Cen- members: Syngenta, China’s leading role in on the seed industry Bureau of Seed tral Document, which Winall Hi-tech, Long- the global seed trade. and achieved prac- Management Director aims to tackle growing ping Hi-tech, Liaoning CNSA Secretary tical results. The six Zhang Yanqiu made inequality between Dongya Agricultural General Mr. Jiang major forums, which clear that China is rural and urban areas Development, Wen- Xiexin lauded the all focused on current making every effort to through a number of zhou Shenlu Seeds, success of the maiden hot topics in the seed promote protection initiatives. Among them Degao Vegetable national seed confer- industry, effectively of new varieties while is encouraging people Seed and Seedling ence: “We enjoyed reinforced the event’s pushing to revise reg- to live in rural areas Research Institute excellent cooperation theme, and we all feel ulations on new plant rather than migrating to and Shanghai Tiangu from our partners and that China has made variety protection. big cities. Biotechnology. stakeholders, giving significant progress in “Optimizing the In line with this – Xiaofeng Li

Photo Above, from L: Mr. Lin Xinjie (Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs); Dr. Ma Dehua, (Vegetable branch of CNSA); Mrs. Zhang Qin (International Cooperation Branch, CNSA); Mr. Ayub Darmanto (Indonesian Seed Association); Mr. Jiang Xiexin (Secretary General, CNSA); Ms. Michelle Klieger (ASTA), Mr. Peter Ogg (Bayer); Mr. Zhang Yanqiu (Director of Bureau of Seed Management, Ministry of Agricuture and Rural Affairs / President of CNSA); Mr. Marc Cool (DuPont); Dr. Chu Qiren (Ricetec); Mr. Chet Boruff (AOSCA); Mr. Wang Zhiping (Celestial Seeds / Advisor to CNSA); Mrs. Tian Weihong (Secretary General, CNSTA)

ASIAN SEED − 29 Executive Excellence Dedicated Seed Industry Leaders Ensure APSA Success

By Heidi Gallant outlined, I would also like for approval before mined the action plan to APSA Executive Director to take this opportunity they are welcomed into see APSA registered as to give you some infor- the association. international association I am always astound- mation about what the in Thailand. ed by the devotion of EC of APSA does for the The EC represents the Executive Committees or association. The people members of APSA. The APSA has changed a a board of directors who who do this job rarely tell members cannot all be lot under the present EC volunteer to serve an you about their contribu- asked for their advice. management. Thanks to organization. In addition tions, so please allow me Therefore, the EC is ex- their blessing and direc- to working their full time to offer you some insight. pected to act and advise tion, APSA has accom- jobs, taking care of their on behalf of members to plished a great deal in a families and their person- Firstly, the EC meets in the best of their ability as short amount of time. al needs, they are willing person three times per seed industry profession- to give freely of their time year – twice at the venue als representing a certain We’ve implemented and energy to better of the Asian Seed Con- country or territory. new standards, developed an association for the gress, both before and fol- a new website, created a common good of their lowing the big event. The The EC does a very new membership direc- industry. third meeting takes place crucial job on behalf of tory, piloted new events in the Spring. APSA cov- APSA members. They are and investigated new As announced by ers the travel costs of the responsible for setting the partnerships with exter- APSA President Ms EC for the Spring meeting main focus of the APSA nal stakeholders. All of Brenda Dossey (see only. We expect that they strategy; they review this progress would not page four) the tenures for will attend ASC at their proposals for Congress be possible without the many of APSA’s Exec- own cost, but we do waive host countries and they determined and dedicated utive Committee mem- their delegate fee. approve the budgets and leadership that is a center- bers are up later this activity of the Special piece of APSA. year, which will leave a In addition to the three Interest Groups and number of vacancies for annual in-person meet- Standing Committees. If you would like more dedicated seed industry ings, the EC is required information on becoming executives. to respond to regular And there may be other a part of this essential requests for advice from important association body, please do not hesi- To complement the the Secretariat. For ex- matters that require their tate to contact the APSA reasons to come an EC ample, all new members attention. Lately, for ex- Director or a current EC member that Brenda are put to the whole EC ample, they have deter- member for advice.

APSA's Executive Committee, which meets in-person three times a year, comprises dedicated and respected industry leaders from throughout the region and world who represent both the public and private sectors.

30 − ASIAN SEED eed For Thought Nurturing the Seedlings for Public-Private Harmonization Dr. Jin Young Yoon served as an APSA EC Member from 2012–2013, and is a highly respected seedsman in Korea. About the time I became harmonize with our hope of director, in 1994, of South collaborating with them. Korea’s National Horticultur- Looking back to its very al Research Institute (NHRI) inception in the early 1950s Vegetable Breeding Division, (when the country was the healthy, collaborative suffering from a serious this issue, and I was lucky to companies hesitate to tradition that had developed shortage of vegetable seed), find some influential sup- invest in because of high between NHRI and private NHRI collected and eval- porters in the Rural Devel- risk, including asexually seed companies was some- uated vegetable varieties, opment Administration (to propagated crops such what in danger of collapse. releasing well-performing which NHRI belongs) and as strawberry and garlic selections to private com- the Ministry of Agriculture. development of tools and First, the majority of our panies. The companies, in techniques for breeding, higher-rank officers in re- turn, began their business We finally were allowed to including that for molecular search-policy formation and by multiplying and then hand over regulatory duty marker and transformation budgeting had backgrounds commercially distributing of seed testing and variety in rice and other field crops. seed to farmers. evaluation to the Office In the three decades With field crops, every step of Seed Production and since, I have observed from variety breeding to seed NHRI soon began hybrid Distribution in 1995, and with delight – and the production and distribution breeding of important veg- my division then was able proud feeling of being a was taken care of by govern- etables, including Chinese to aim at playing the role ground-layer – the evolving mental and/or semi-govern- cabbage, cabbage and of clearing house for both changes in collaborative mental organizations. onion (applying self-incom- public and private sector interaction between private patibility in the former two groups involved in vegeta- and public sectors. Now, They did not under- crops, and male sterility ble breeding and the seed collaboration is well-realized stand the differences and in the third). By the early business. through projects such as kept asking my division to 1960s, NHRI was able to Seed Valley, the Golden breed cultivars for farmers’ release to private compa- The mandate for govern- Seed Project, Next Gen- immediate use. That would, nies for commercial seed ment research in the area of eration Biogreen 21, and in effect, be like running production the parental lines vegetable breeding was re- the Vegetable Breeding a national seed company of those crops’ F1 hybrids, set so that most outcomes Research Center, among -- which must live with together with technology for would return to taxpayers others, funded and im- bureaucratic inefficiency and breeding and seed produc- through finished breeding plemented jointly by the thus hardly compete against tion. by the private sector: The government and private private companies. following three areas were research/business circles. In order to restore, and emphasized: Second, my division had further improve, the collab- I still hope to see more been designated to run offi- orative relationship between 1.) Search for – and leadership from the pri- cial performance evaluation my division and private development of – genetic vate sector, more collab- of vegetable varieties bred vegetable seed businesses, resources to breed for dis- oration with Korea-based by private companies and I spent a lot of energy and ease resistance and other multinational companies, quality testing of seed pro- time persuading people in biotic/abiotic stresses. involvement of world-class duced by them for distribu- and around the govern- research groups outside tion to farmers. The field and mental hierarchy handling 2.) Breeding for a long term Korea, and nurturing start- lab tests were mandated organizational structure, strategy of labor-saving ups – then weaning them by the Seed and Seedling personnel administration and farm mechanization from their nurtures – in or- Control Law. This regulatory and budgeting. Colleagues der to guarantee maximum control role over the vege- in my division shared the 3.) Finished-variety possible efficiency among table seed business did not same position with me on breeding of crops private joint projects.

ASIAN SEED − 31 Mother and Manager of Ramgo Seeds Intl

In anticipation of the upcoming Asian Seed Congress in Manila, APSA is interviewing several prominent ladies in the Philippines to feature in “Women In Seed”. For this installment, Asian Seed traveled to Ramgo Seeds International Corpo- ration's head office in Pasig City, on the eastern flank of the Philippines’ capital to meet their president, Pamela Chan, a longstanding member of APSA who currently serves as trea- surer of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA).

DESTINED DETERMINATION me to continue the business. Success one’s career and one’s personal path in Ramgo was founded in 1967 by wouldn’t have been possible without life but if we live by a personal philoso- Pamela’s father, Ramon A. Ong, a my two sisters, Candice and Karen, phy, it can bring us far. Moving forward, Chinese immigrant. The company’s who were mutually determined to keep being honest at all times is the best initial focus was on the budding trade dad’s legacy alive.” policy. Of course we cannot discount in fresh vegetables. Pamela elaborated further on her technical competence and financial A strong-minded person with Chinese dad’s legacy and two-tiered busi- acumen in one’s work ethic – these ancestry, Pamela got straight into her ness model encompassing both tra- should always go hand in hand togeth- intimate details: “My life completely ditional and modern aspects of the er with integrity.” This is why she finds changed overnight after my father seed business; namely, selling core the time to attend technical seminars passed away. I was 19 years old then.” seeds to farmers and developing the and financial proficiency training to Pamela was in firm control of her value chain to supply the commer- “sharpen the saw”. emotions as she recalled her father’s cial retail sector. sudden demise in 1986. Ramon suf- MULTITASKING MOM fered a heart attack. He was only 47. CHALLENGE TO CATALYST As if running a business were not “At that time, I was still a student, Even though women are held in high demanding enough, Pamela is also the studying Business Administration at the regard in the Philippines, where there proud mother of three – two daughters University of the Philippines in Diliman. are many prominent female leaders in and a son. We were devastated. My mother was both the public and private sectors, When asked about how she views a bit distraught and could not continue Pamela explained that the seed industry her role as a mother, Pamela said, “As the business on her own. I wanted my there is still dominated by men, and a working mother, I am setting a bright dad’s legacy to continue so I took this gaining respect and trust from her example for my children, especially as my destiny to run the family compa- colleagues and associates was not my two daughters, that marriages can ny from then on.” automatic. be made more successful and happy And so it was, Pamela kept her head “’You don’t have to join this conver- when the woman is financially inde- up and took the reins of the family sation, it is technical in nature and just pendent. A career doesn’t have to be company – and the family itself, as the might bore you,” Pamela said, recalling a hurdle for women to have a happy eldest child with two younger sisters the harsh sentiment she once faced marriage and family life.” who were still young students when from a senior male associate in the in- Pamela explains that making the time Ramon passed away. ternational seed business. Gender dis- to have dinner together is essential to a Considering Chinese custom, many crimination is common in the business, healthy family, especially in today’s fast- were surprised when a young lady and women often have to try harder paced world in which many parents took charge of the business and they than their male counterparts to gain an have limited opportunities to interact had their doubts, Pamela recalls. equal footing. with their children. Under her determined leadership, “Just because I’m young and I’m a “Dinner is a great opportunity to have however, and with the support and woman, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it,” ‘shop talk’ with my children. It’s an dedication from family and associates, Pamela added firmly. opportunity to bring an additional facet Ramgo went on to celebrate its 50- Rather than allow negativity to bring of education to them, letting them see year anniversary in 2017. her down, Pamela viewed such dis- how resilient and tenacious they can be, Ramgo today is the largest fami- crimination as an advantage – a catalyst seeing that it’s possible to be a good ly-run seed company in the Philippines, that provided her with strong motivation parent and have a successful career at supplying Filipino farmers quality inputs to prove herself in the seed business. the same time. – seeds, fertilizers, plant protection Pamela insists that maintaining a firm “I want my daughters and all other products, garden supplies and organic foundation is essential to achieve great- working ladies to understand that suc- fertilizers er heights in one’s life, whether with cess comes through hard work, hon- “I was fortunate to receive support respect to one’s career or personal life. esty and perseverance. Despite the from uncles, mom and other asso- “We cannot deny the fact that there challenges, and expectations, gender ciates in the seed industry to enable will be challenges along the way in doesn’t have to be an issue at all.” omen In Seed fits. It has given seed organizations a collective voice to effectively work with the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry, which in turn has been very supportive with respect to policy and regulations. Pamela is optimistic about the seed industry's bright future. “There is still room to grow, es- pecially these days as people are more mindful of health, and food consumption. I am confident that the public and private sectors can continue to work together in ensur- ing sustainable food security in our country, and the region. We have the same goals and it is important that we constantly align and rein- force our efforts.” Pamela ends our discussion by APSA, PSIA ROOTS “At that time, USAID provided support, revealing her greatest satisfaction in “I remember very well that Ramgo hosting several Filipinos to join the event. working in seed industry: “My greatest was APSA member number 100, and It was refreshing to meet and network satisfaction is when I see our farmers we were also one of the founding com- with other key players from throughout do well and prosper with the seeds they panies of PSIA”. the region.” bought from Ramgo. To see their smiles Ramgo has been a staunch support- Pamela strongly believes that the when they talk about their abundant er of APSA since the beginning. Pamela success and growth of the seed indus- harvests, and hear their success stories herself has missed only two out of the try owes credit to the organization and of how they were able to finance their 24 editions of APSA’s flagship event. work from national and regional seed children’s higher education, or make im- She recalls attending her first Asian associations. provements on their abodes, brings me Seed Congress, the maiden edition, “Being a member of PSIA and a sense of fulfillment that is unmatched 1994 in Chiang Mai. APSA has provided valuable bene- by any other aspect."

ASIAN SEED − 33 PSA Matters Member Announcements ASC 2018 2018 is lining up to be another productive year as APSA becomes a quarter-century young. To make the most of their membership, members are encouraged to log-in to the members area of our website (apsaseed.org) where they can update their organization’s directory profiles, Registration and find all the latest updates from our SIGs and SCs, in addition to detailed information about benefits, upcom- ing programs, events, reports, papers and more. Opens Early On that note, if you haven’t already, be sure to down- load the Vegetable Seed Production Good Practice Guide, which was drafted in consultation with the Inter- national Seed Federation and is a must-read for seed producers, processers and traders in the Asia Pacific region. Following are some important upcoming dates to look forward to:

•May 16–17: WorldVeg Consortium Workshop in Tainan •June 3-6: World Seed Congress in Brisbane, Australia •June 11–14: ISTA Annual Meeting in Sapporo, Japan •June 20–21: APSA EC Meeting

Finally, a warm welcome to our newest members: We are pleased to announce that registration for the 25th Asian Seed Congress is set to open earlier than usual this Enza Zaden Asia Sdn Bhd year. Mark your calendars folks – registration will open on May 2, at 8:30 am Bangkok time (GMT+7). The Secretariat Seed Enterprise will be standing by to assist you in securing your early bird Unit D, 21st Floor, Gurney Tower bookings through our online platform. An announcement will No.18 Persiaran Gurney be sent out to Good Standing Members by Monday, April 30 Georgetown, Penang with instructions and guidelines. Malaysia 10250 Our venue this year – the Manila Marriott Hotel – can ac- OPTOMACHINES ASIA SDN BHD commodate up to 2,000 delegates, and judging from the full house last year in Bangkok, there’s a high probability that we Affiliate Member will reach capacity well before the doors open in November. Optomachines Asia Sdn Bhd So don’t hesitate to secure your booking ASAP. Please be 1MK Incubator Unit 25-9, 25th floor, Menara 1MK, N°1 advised that this year there will not be on-site registra- Jalan Kiara tion, nor will registration be open to non-members. This is Montkiara, KUALA LUMPUR to ensure APSA can provide optimal service to its members Malaysia 50480 Inaugurated in 1994 in Chiang Mai, the Asian Seed Con- Guangzhou Xingtian Seed Co., Ltd gress is the most important seed trade event in the most Seed Enterprise populous and lucrative region in the world. Previous editions 804,Hengjian Building, have been hosted in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bris- bane, Shanghai, Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Chiba, Seoul, No.45, Tianhe Road Kobe, Macau, Kaohsiung, Manila, Pattaya, Ho Chi Minh City Yuexiu, Guangzhou Guangdong and Bangkok. China 511000 The Asian Seed Congress is more than just a meeting of M/s Roghay Sons APSA members and industry stakeholders. Featuring tech- Seed Enterprise nical sessions, host country field and leisure tours, cultural B-212, Block C North Nazimabad programs and world-class entertainment and accommoda- Block C North Nazimabad tions, the Asian Seed Congress facilitates a prime opportunity for delegates to get together in one place for a memorable Karachi, Sindh and energetic week. Delegates can network, grow their busi- Pakistan 74700 nesses and get updated on the latest industry developments AGRONOMIX SOFTWARE, INC. and technology to gain an edge. Be there or miss this year's golden opportunity. Affiliate Member 427 ACADEMY ROAD Stand by for updates for the ASC and all other upcoming SECOND FLOOR APSA events, which will be published in Asian Seed mag- azine, as well as through our media partners – Seed World WINNIPEG, Manitoba Magazine and Agropages.com – and through APSA’s Canada R3N 0C2 website via apsaseed.org/events/ Access Asia & the Pacific

Regional, Global Research & Regulatory & Exhibitions Trade Trends Development Phytosanitary & Events Imports, Exports, Latest breakthroughs, Latest in legislation, The Asian Seed Demand & technologies, threats regulation on Congress & other Consumption & opportunities movement of seed important meetings 2018 Advertising Rates

A la Carte Seedsman (six Issues +) Executive (four Issues +) Breeder (three Issues +) Magazine Formats & Rates (US$) No. 1--4 & 6 No. 5 Special Rate Value Save Special Rate Value Save Special Rate Value Save Centerfold: 420x297mm (+5mm bleed) 3,400 3,900 18,810 24,840 6,030 14,100 17,990 3,890 10,700 14,490 3,790 Full Spread: 420x297mm (+5mm bleed) 2,900 3,400 16,110 21,290 5,180 12,100 16,963 4,863 9,200 12,440 3,240 Back Cover: 210x297mm (+5mm bleed) 2,900 3,400 16,110 21,290 5,180 12,100 16,963 4,863 9,200 12,440 3,240 Inside Front Cover: 210 x 297mm (+5mm bleed) 2,200 2,900 12,510 16,520 4,010 9,500 13,225 3,725 7,300 9,770 2,470 Inside Front Cover: 210 x 297mm (+5mm bleed) 2,200 2,900 12,510 16,520 4,010 9,500 13,225 3,725 7,300 9,770 2,470 Inside Back Cover: 210x297mm (+5mm bleed) 2,040 2,500 11,430 15,144 3,714 8,620 12,085 3,465 6,580 8,874 2,294 Full page -- right: 210x297mm (+5mm bleed) 1,800 2,125 10,013 13,305 3,293 7,525 10,600 3,075 5,725 7,755 2,030 Full page -- left: 210x297mm (+5mm bleed) 1,600 1,925 8,933 11,885 2,953 6,725 9,475 2,750 5,125 6,935 1,810 Half page -- right: 210x148mm (+5mm bleed) 1,020 1,188 5,659 7,610 1,951 4,248 6,056 1,808 3,228 4,400 1,172 Half page -- left: 210x148mm (+5mm bleed) 920 1,088 5,119 6,900 1,781 3,848 5,493 1,645 2,928 3,990 1,062 Quarter page -- bottom full width left: 210x74mm (+5mm bleed) 650 700 3,555 4,865 1,310 2,650 3,856 1,206 2,000 2,765 765 Quarter page -- bottom full width right: 210x74mm (+5mm bleed) 600 700 3,330 4,560 1,230 2,500 3,625 1,125 1,900 2,610 710 Quarter page -- bottom right: 105x148mm (+5mm bleed) 550 600 3,015 4,155 1,140 2,250 3,294 1,044 1,700 2,355 655 Quarter page -- bottom left: 105x148mm (+5mm bleed) 500 600 2,790 3,850 1,060 2,100 3,063 963 1,600 2,200 600 Value Addition Marketing Package Extras Advertorial* Above + 10% Free x 1 * 550-4290 Free x 1 * 550-4290 Free x 1 * 525-4095 Facebook Target Marketing Campaign Basic** 50 Free x 2 ** 100 Free x 1 ** 50 Free x 1 * 50 Facebook Target Marketing Campaign Premium** 100 Free x 1 ** 100 Free x 1 ** 100 APSA 2019 Calendar Promotion (For Package Bookings Only) APSA Calendar One Month: 200x190mm + 200x40mm*** 1,500 1,000 1,500 500 1,200 1,500 300 1,350 1,500 150

* Client supplies copy and photos with editorial support. Editor will advise specs, varying on advertorial size. Value of advertorial is advertisement rate plus 10% premium **Facebook Basic Campaign = 1 week; audience reach 5,000-15,000 depending on desired demographic parameters & type of content; Premium = 2 weeks; audience reach 10,000-50,000 depending on desired demographic parameters *** Calendar is booked on first come, first service basis. The special rate quoted in card is in addition to cost of package. **** Only Good Standing APSA Members are eligible for the above rates; Asian Seed & Planting Material reserves the right to accept or reject content.

imes have changed and will continue to change with the T rapid digitization of marketing and communications in 2018 and beyond. As the world changes, so too must the seed industry. Hence, we are stepping up our game to meet the evolving needs of the market. This year, Asian Seed & Planting Material is pleased to offer a number of new digital and dynamic marketing tools that will help you get your message out to a wider and specifically-defined audience – more effectively and efficiently than ever before. Several new marketing opportunities are available to Good Standing APSA members à la carte, or in one of our val- ue-added packages. See table above, or inquire via email:

Steven or Suchada @apsaseed.org 12-16 November 2018

Registration Opens on May 2

National Seed Industry Council

36 − ASIAN SEED