REPORT ON ASIAN SEED CONGRESS-2008

The Asia and pacific Seed Association (APSA) organized the Asian Seed Congress-2008 at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, from 9-13, November, 2008. The Congress was inaugurated by Honorable Union Minister for Agriculture Sh. Sharad Pawa. Total of 44 members from Asia and across the globe participated in the congress. Being a Non Profit Organization and since our coordinator is also member of National Organizing committee (NOC), IFSSA participated as member NOC. IFSSA made its presence through the Stall No: AB05, in which we presented the posters depicting about IFSSA and its various objectives and activities and also the achievements in the form of success stories.

IFSSA was well exposed to the Asian seed industry. Representatives from all the companies participated in the congress visited our stall and showed the interest in our organization. Various dignitaries (both public and private and also national as well as international) also visited and appreciated the activities and the kind and quality of services provided by us in the interest of the Indian seed industry. Our mode of work on the successful model of Public- Private- partnership was well appreciated by the members from both the public and private sectors.

Looking into the kind and quality of services which we are offering now in rice like, Supply of foundation seeds, molecular marker services like MAS, genetic purity assessment etc, there was lot of demand for the similar kind of services in other field crops as well as vegetable crops too, especially seed purity assessment.


Observations at APSA Seed Congress:-

1. We observed that APSA platform is dominated by mainly vegetables seed companies.

2. Vegetable seed companies mainly wanted us to extend our molecular marker services to vegetable seeds

We feel honored to announce that our chairman Shri. Raju Barwale was awarded the APSA -2008 award by the Honorable Union Minister for Agriculture Shri. Shard Pawar for his invaluable contribution in the field of Seed industry.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the members of National Organizing committee (NOC), especially to Shri Somani., for their cooperation and the kind of support that they have provided. We also sincerely thank all the visitors, participants, who visited and made their valuable suggestions.