Washington, February19
Governing Board meeting of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) for the year 2023 was held in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington DC in the United States from February 13 – 18, 2023. Dr. Keshavulu, in his capacity as ISTA President, presided over the Governing Board meeting of ISTA, wherein members ,representatives from different countries and international organisations participated. Meeting was opened by Dr. Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), who addressed the gathering during opening ceremony. The entire proceedings of the meeting were led by Dr. Keshavulu, who is the first person from Asia to become the President of prestigious international key organisation for seed and food security. As a part of the ISTA Governing Board meeting, meeting of affiliated organisations was also held in the chambers of United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. Thereby, helping seed business/trade and exports around the world, and contributing to the food security goals of many countries.
The following topics were thoroughly discussed during the meetings
The global seed industry is estimated to be valued at USD 63.0 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 86.8 billion by 2026, recording a CAGR of 6.6%. By regions, the North- America is largest market, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, South-America, Africa etc.North America is the largest commercial seeds market, accounting for more than 35% of the market share. Though North America dominates the overall global seed industry with 35 per cent of the total share, the major growth is seen in Asia-pacific and Africa region. Seed market inthe Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing market as it hosts the two major agricultural countries, India and China.
Farmers in many parts of the world are not able to get good quality seeds, especially in few developing countries of Africa and Asia. More than 80% of smallholder farmers in developing countries are heavily rely on farm-saved seed of non-improved varieties or local varieties. Need to develop more effective seed systems to make improved seeds of crop varieties available to farmers.
Countries like, the US, China, France, Brazil, India and few European nations have strong seed industry as a result they are self sufficient in food production.
In Asian region, only few countries are having reasonably good seed industries namely, Japan, India, China, South Korea and Thailand. In addition, only India and Japan are members of the OECD Seed Schemes. The countries like, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Srilanka and Pakistan including Middle-East and African countries are not having good seed systems, therefore, need to focus on seed sector development and seed quality assurance in these countries.
USDA agreed to extend support to ISTA for developing and strengthening seed quality assurance systems in developing countries including Mekong region countries as well as seeds without border initiative in several Asian countries namely: from South Asia,South East Asia and the Pacific.
Bangladesh has become one more South-East Asian nation in the ISTA global network of Designated Authorities as the 82 nd country. The Government of Bangladesh has vision to improve their seed quality assurance system with the help of ISTA to enhance agriculture production and productivity in the country.
It was decided to hold ISTA Annual meeting -2023 in Verona, Italy in the month of May and June, 2023 and ISTA Governing Board Meeting-2024 at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
ISTA will be entering its 100 years in 2024, so it was decided to have centenary celebrations in a grand manner at Cambridge, United Kingdom by involving all the global seed related organisations and renowned scientists / policymakers from all over the world.
Dr. Keshavulu, as President of ISTA, highlighted the role of ISTA in global seed quality assurance as well as global food security. He mentioned that effective seed quality assurance systems are an essential part of the seed sectors development, which in turn boosts agriculture production and productivity and helps attain food security around the world. He also narrated the scenario of the Indian seed industry, with special emphasis on Telangana State and the seed bowl initiatives of the Government of Telangana towards making Telangana a global seed hub. under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble CM of Telangana. He believes that regionally harmonised seed standards, phytosanitary requirements, and trade regulations will provide a great opportunity for India as well as Telangana to increase seed exports in the future.
dignitaries Dr. Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator of USDA, Dr. Johnny Zook, President of AOSA, Dr. Melissa Philips, Vice-President of SCST, Dr. Todd Erickson, Head of Seed regulations, USDA, Dr. Victor Vankus, Director, Seed regulations, USDA, Dr. Melanie Schori, Chair of nomenclature committee, US DA, Dr. Sarah Adams Wilbanks, Chief of AOSCA and others participated in this meetings
