APSA Established

Delegates review region’s markets and technology

Chiang Mai’s Orchid Hotel, 27-29 September, saw 260 representatives of public and private seed enterprises, international seed organisations, and regional research centres from 24 countries at Asian Seed '94 — the first ever such conference in the region.

Comprehensive country studies were presented on the seed industry in Chiba, Japan, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. International plant breeding specialists presented a similar number of papers on access to and improvement of germplasm. On the third day, delegates established the Asia and Pacific Seed Association.

Support for APSA

APSA's Foundation Meeting - Familiar Faces

Asian Seed '94 was opened by Thailand’s Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Sommai Surakul and FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative, Mr. A.Z.M. Obaidullah Khan. Mr. Sommai emphasised that high-quality seed leading to higher yields was essential in Thailand’s efforts to held low-income farmers. The Permanent secretary expressed his Ministry’s support for the concept and objectives of APSA.

"The FAO believes," said Mr. Khan, "that the time has come for the region to discuss establishment of a more formal contact between public and private seed enterprises."

"The various advantages of regional co-operation at a more technical level," continued Mr. Khan, "aside from closer co-operation among various actors engaged in seed development, will create a much needed regional forum that can authoritatively formulate future seed policy relevant advice to governments, FAO, and others."

In his opening address, senior Officer of FAO’s Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service, Mr. Cadmo Rosell, summarised the UN organisation’s seed development work in the region, which comprises seven national and three regional projects with a total budget of US$ 21 million. Mr. Rosell also referred delegates to FAO’s seed information system, which includes various databases on germplasm, equipment, and seed sources. Mr. Rosell saw access to this information as being of immediate benefit to Asian Seed ’94 delegates.

Country studies

Following the opening ceremony, country studies were presented. Presentations of country studies were chaired by Mr. E. Seidler from FAO’s Marketing Service in Rome, and Inspector General Mr. Petcharat Wannapee from Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives. The reports included considerable background information on each country’s seed industry and trends in use, production, and distribution. The roles of the private sector and government support were also examined.

Foundation Meeting

The third day was reserved for the Foundation Meeting of the Asia and Pacific seed Association. A regional FAO consultation in 1992 had established a Preparatory Group that included: Dr. Kuldip Chopra (chairman) from India, Dr. Imtizaj Husain from Pakistan, Mr. Heisan H. Koshibe from Japan, Dr. Renato Mabesa from Philippines, Mr. Jose Valmayor from Thailand, and Mr. Petcharat Wannapee also from Thailand. Mr. Mogens Lemonius, FAO Regional Seed Programme Manager, had acted as Secretary.

With Dr. Chopra chairing, Mr. Lemonius explained the background of FAO’s support for the establishment of APSA. "The Preparatory Group, in consultation with FAO, and after having conducted a detailed needs assessment among seed enterprises in the region, had drafted a constitution and bylaws for APSA, "said Mr. Lemonius. "The Preparatory Group also prepared a budge and work program and formulated a 5-year technical assistance project with a total budget of US$ 2 million to support the development of APSA. In early 1994, Danida agreed to finance the project, which was now headquartered at the Royal Thai Department of Agricultural Extension’s Seed Division. One of the project’s first tasks was to organise, in close consultation with the Preparatory Group, Asian Seed '94."

FAO support

Mr. Lemonius explained that FAO support for the establishment of APSA would be available during 1994-1998. Office space was already arranged at the FAO project office in Bangkok. In 1994, activities were being organised by the project but starting in 1995 it was expected that APSA would have a director to head its secretariat and program activities.

The FAO project would then provide an annual cash grant to balance APSA’s account. That amount would decline through 1995-1998, after which it would cease. After 1998, it was expected that APSA would be self-sustained. FAO project staff would assist the APSA director until the end of 1996, at which time FAO personnel would leave. During 1997-1998, only limited financial support would be available for APSA.

Membership benefits

Mr. Lemonius outlined immediate APSA membership benefits such as access to an annual Asian seed conference on technical and market issues (and, certainly, an excellent opportunity for professional contacts), discounted adverting rates in ASIAN SEED, direct mailings of specialised documentation on current technical and seed trade subjects, free copies of key FAO statistical yearbooks and bulletins, and access to training and study tours. Other activities and benefits might be developed in accordance with members’ requirements.

"The most important long-term advantages of the regional association," emphasised Mr. Lemonius, "will be an improved image of the region’s seed sectors, stronger collaboration among public and private seed enterprises, and better conditions for seed production and distribution."

Executive Committee

An Executive Committee of 16 individuals representing various membership categories was required to launch APSA and the Preparatory Group had co-opted senior seed executives from seed enterprises and organisations across the region. The members of the Executive Committee were presented to the house and Mr. Lemonius announced that the Committee had appointed Mr. Muhammad Sidik, Director of Indonesia’s Directorate for Seed Development as President, Dr. Kuldip Chopra from India as First Vice-President, Dr. Imtizaj Husain from Pakistan as Second Vice President, and Mr. Simon Groot from Thailand as Program Secretary.

APSA President, Mr. M. Sidik, then took the chair.

"It is an honour for me to serve as APSA’s first president," declared Mr. Sidik. "I’m confident that the Foundation Meeting will proceed well and I look forward to working with all other members of the Executive Committee. And all of you, in making APSA a great success."

Mr. Sidik warmly thanked the Preparatory Group for its work and FAO and Danida for providing assistance to this important venture that would benefit the region’s seed industry.

Constitution and Bylaws

The draft constitution and bylaws had been distributed to delegates before the meeting. Minor changes had been formulated during Committee meetings immediately before the Foundation Meeting. The house approved the document as presented.

Members of the Arbitration Committee and the Technical Committee were introduced. The first task of the Technical Committee will be reviewing the results of a survey carried out by the Preparatory Group in 1993 to identify seed sector needs.

Budget

Detail of APSA’s budget were outlined by Mr. Lemonius. Revenue from membership fees was expected to be US$ 37 000 in 1995, rising to US$ 183 000 in 1998. Other major sources of revenue would be advertising in ASIAN SEED magazine and conference fees. In 1995, APSA was predicted to have an operating deficit of approximately US$ 140 000, falling to about US$ 15 000 in 1998.

Delegates approved the budget and advised the Executive Committee to proceed with the appointment of an external auditor.

On APSA's Establishment - For the record

Bernard Le Buanec, Secretary General of the International Seed Trade federation (FIS) and the International Association of Plant Breeders for the Protection of Plant varieties (ASSINSEL) briefly explained the objectives and work of the two organisations.

"I am personally convinced," declared Mr. Le Buanec, "that there is neither duplication nor competition between FIS and APSA. We aim at different targets. Many members of FIS are also members of regional seed trade associations in North America and Europe." The FIS Secretary General concluded his comments by warmly congratulating, on behalf of FIS and ASSINSEL, everyone on establishment of APSA.

Mr. Don Scott, President of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) said that as a participant in 1992 consultation he was particularly pleased to observe the progress that had been made. "I believe that APSA will produce major benefits for the Asia-Pacific seed trade, world seed trade, and contribute very significantly to improvements in regional and world food supplies," said Dr. Scott. He went on to say that he was especially impressed by the close collaboration between the public and private sectors in the region and that he saw much scope for collaboration between ISTA and APSA.

Dr. M.R. Tuner, Seed Technology Course Director, Edinburgh University, U.K., emphasised that, "Considering the pace of development in the region establishment of APSA was timely." He then added that "APSA reflected the importance of organisations becoming and being sustainable." Concluded Dr. Turner: "Many development assistance projects have failed because they have not become sustainable. This will not be the case with APSA.

FAO appreciation

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Lemonius expressed FAO’s appreciation for the efforts made by Preparatory Group and emphasised his gratitude for the close collaboration he had enjoyed with Dr. Chopra. He also thanked the royal Thai Department of agricultural Extension for providing host country facilities for the project and invaluable support in organising Asian Seed '94. "Speakers and chairpersons have contributed significantly to the success of the meeting and the enthusiasm of the delegates promises will for the future of APSA," said Mr. Lemonius.