Asian Seed Congress slated Nov. 13

The 25th Asian Seed Congress will be staged on Tuesday, November 13 by the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) at the Marriott Hotel Manila, according to Dr. Mary Ann P. Sayoc, president of the Philippine Seed Industry Association.

The event will bring together experts in plant breeding and other specialists from more than 600 seed companies, research institutions and other stakeholders around the world. They will collaborate together in shaping a sustainable Agriculture through the production and trade of quality seeds for the world.

The 600+ APSA members come from 49 countries, many of them specializing in improved vegetable varieties and other high-value crops that include rice, corn and other cereals.

It can be said that the seed companies in the Philippines have beeninstrumental in introducing improved technologies and concepts, especially the vegetable seed producers and the hybrid rice and corn companies.

Aside from the hybrid vegetables that are high-yielding, resistant to pests and other stresses and with high-quality produce, the seed companies have active technicians who are demonstrating to farmers how they could increase their profits through their innovative technologies and practical farming ideas and strategies.

The PSIA headed by Dr. Sayoc is composed of 24 seed companies and three government agencies. Dr. Sayoc is a ranking executive of East-West Seed.

ENZA ZADEN – Meanwhile, Jaap Mazereeuw, managing director of Enza Zaden, an 80-year-old seed company from the Netherlands, will be attending the Congress. Before that, on Nov. 12, he will formally launch his company’s Philippine affiliate, determined to establish its presence in this part of the tropical world. The new company is Enza Zaden Philippines, Inc. with offices in Quezon City.