Rama Krishna Sangem
It’s a moment of pride for India, and Telangana in the history of seed industry and agriculture. ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) celebrated its centenary in Cambridge, the UK from July 1-5, under the leadership of Dr K Keshavulu, from Telangana, India. Dr Keshavulu is now the president of ISTA and holds the posts from 2022 to 2025. Seed Quality Assurance is the theme of the centenary celebrations.
The events were hosted by the Government of the UK, the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and NIAB, Cambridge. The celebrations, held under the presidentship of Dr. K. Keshavulu from Telangana, India with the theme “A Century of Progress in Seed Quality Assurance”, promoting quality seeds with global standards to ensure food security worldwide.
It is proud moment for Telangana as the ISTA centenary celebrations were led by Dr. K. Keshavulu, Director, Telangana State Seed Certification Authority.
Centenary Opening Ceremony:
The ISTA centenary celebrations were inaugurated on July 1, 2024, by Mario Caccamo, Chief Executive of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), Cambridge, under the presidentship of Dr. K. Keshavulu and in the presence of Richard McIntosh, Deputy Chief Plant Health Officer and Controller of Plant Variety Rights, Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and Rose Riby of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), Cambridge.
This significant event in ISTA’s history was attended by more than 250 delegates from about 50 countries. Participants gathered to learn about ISTA’s past and future strategies, gain knowledge on the latest developments, acquire new perspectives on seed quality assurance and advancements, and enhance professional growth through global networking and collaborative interactions.
Director General of FAO: ‘World need to feed 10 billion people by 2050’
During the inaugural session, Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, delivered an opening keynote address via pre-recorded speech for the ISTA centennial celebrations. In his speech, he highlighted that by 2050, the world’s population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion, necessitating a 50 percent increase in food production from 2012 levels. Consequently, he emphasized the critical role of seeds in addressing global food insecurity.
Dr.Keshavulu: ‘ISTA’s efforts to provide food and nutritional security’
Dr. K. Keshavulu, President of ISTA, highlighted that ISTA has been at the forefront of global efforts to provide food and nutritional security for the ever-growing population. ISTA has supported sustainable development, celebrated successful quality assurance for the international seed trade, and forged lasting bonds for Agricultural development.
Dr. Keshavulu mentioned that in 1924, the global population was about 2 billion and now it has crossed 8.5 billion, because of the improved quality assurance and high-quality seed access to farmers worldwide over the years, enabled to meet the food demand of ever-growing population. He stressed that, in order to meet the food and nutritional demand of future generations, we need to focus on diversification of crop varieties, under-utilised crops, legumes, cover crops, tree species while conserving soil health and environment.
He announced the ISTA’s vision for second century as the “application of internationally agreed and validated methods for seed quality assurance to increase and sustain agricultural productivity, food security, and nutrition for all”
Issues discussed in the ISTA Centenary
- On first day (July 01) discussed on “Seed quality assurance is a critical component of food and nutritional security” in the international seminar held conjunction with ISTA centenary celebrations.
- Discussed on need for production and supply of quality seeds to farmers for ensuring food and nutritional security for the future generations. • ISTA’s strategy for next 100 years was discussed.
- It was decided to support seed sector development, capacity building, awareness programmes for farmers of the developing African countries in collaboration with FAO for enhancing quality seed availability and access.
- Discussed on seed storage and new technologies, innovative storage methods to maintain seed quality over time, such as controlled environments, desiccation, and cryopreservation.
- Discussed on Phytosanitary and Seed Health aspects for promoting seed trade, evaluating seeds for diseases, pests, and pathogens to ensure better crop yields and reduce disease spread.
- On July 2, ISTA Technical Committee meetings were held, that provided more insights into ISTA’s activities over the past year in particular and past 100 years in general.
ISTA Ministerial Conference:
On July 4, a Ministerial Conference was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Chikelu Mba, Deputy Director of FAO with the theme “The Role and Future of ISTA in Seed Testing and Quality Assurance in the Face of Climate Change”.
Agriculture ministers and representatives from countries including Argentina, France, India, Poland, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Kenya, and the USA attended. The conference provided a global platform for ISTA member countries to discuss crucial subjects related to seed sector development, seed testing, quality assurance, and food security.
During the discussions, Dr. Chikelu Mba highlighted the importance of informal and farmer seed systems in delivering diversified crop varieties to local farming communities. He stressed the need to improve the quality of seeds in informal systems and promoted FAO’s “Quality Declared Seed (QDS)” system as a quality control measure for these systems.
ISTA – ISF Global Forum:
On July 5, ISTA and the International Seed Federation (ISF) held a joint global forum titled “Quality Seed Production for Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture.” The forum, held in celebration of both organizations’ centenary anniversaries, highlighted the importance of seed quality, crop diversity, and innovation in addressing global agricultural challenges.
Both ISTA and ISF shared their journeys and key developments over the past 100 years, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring farmers’ access to high-quality seeds. The forum’s discussions emphasized the need for diversity of crops for future food security, the importance of seed quality assurance, and the role of new technologies and innovations in seed production.
In the forum, discussions were held on “World Seed Partnership” between FAO, OECD, ISTA, ISF and other international seed organisations for improving quality seed production, supply and quality assurance towards promoting global seed movement and trade.
The event concluded with a resolution to uphold the mission of supplying quality seeds of diversified crop varieties to farmers, adapting to the evolving needs of the global seed industry and agricultural community, and supporting sustainable development goals for food and nutritional security worldwide.
Expansion of ISTA through regional ambassadors: As a significant step towards enhancing its presence globally, ISTA introduced the concept of regional representatives/ ambassadors to expand ISTA and disseminate the knowledge of seed science and technology for advancing seed quality assurance, supporting seed trade, food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices on a global scale.
ISTA e-Certificates comes in to force from July 15, 2024: ISTA adopted digital technologies and data-driven approaches to revolutionize seed testing and quality assurance practices. As a significant milestone, ISTA introduced electronic international seed analysis certificates (e-Certificates) to revolutionize the communication of seed testing results for seed producers. ISTA e-Certificates will be come into effect from July 15, 2024 onwards. This will enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of seed testing process.
Symbolic planting of a tree sapling by Dr. K. Keshavulu in Cambridge: The centenary celebrations concluded with the symbolic planting of a tree sapling by Dr. K. Keshavulu in Cambridge, marking 100 years of ISTA’s dedication to advancing seed quality assurance. The ISTA centenary celebrations were a historic milestone, reflecting on a century of achievements in seed quality assurance and looking forward to future advancements for supporting global agriculture, enhancing food security, and contributing to food and nutritional security for future generations to come.
Important delegates attended the event are: Dr. K. Keshavulu, ISTA President, Dr. Chikelu Mba, Deputy Director, FAO, Marario Caccamo, Chief Executive, NIAB, Cambridge, Santosh Attavar, President ISF, Marmo, Chaiman, ISF, Csaba Gasper, Head, OECD Seed Schemes, Michael Keller, Secretary General, ISF.
Neil Luers, European Seed Association, Eddie Goldschagg, OECD Seed representative from South Africa, Leiona, Finland Seed Association, Andreas Waise, ISTA Secretary General
About ISTA:
ISTA is an inter-governmental organisation founded in 1924 at Zurich, Switzerland. ISTA operates under the governments/agriculture ministries of its 83 member countries/distinct economies. ISTA rules have been adopted across the globe to ensure the supply of quality seeds to the farming community including India.
ISTA working with the mission of development of internationally agreed rules for seed sampling and testing, accredits laboratories, promotes research, provides international seed analysis certificates and training, and disseminates knowledge in seed science and technology. Thereby facilitate seed trade nationally and internationally, supporting global agriculture and contributes to food security worldwide.
Currently, ISTA membership consists of about 247 member seed testing laboratories, personal and associate members from 83 countries around the world. India is also a member since 1961, adopted ISTA rules for seed sampling & testing in quality control programme and having 28 ISTA member laboratories, of which, 9 are internationally accredited laboratories.
