Rama Krishna Sangem
Dr K Keshavulu, President of ISTA along with Dr. Andreas Waise, Secretary General of ISTA, visited the OECD Seed Schemes Bureau in Paris, France. They met with Dr. Csaba Gaspar, Head & Programme Manager, and Ms. Aurelia Nicault, Programme Officer of the OECD Seed Schemes.
The meeting aimed to foster collaboration and cooperation between ISTA and the OECD Seed Schemes Bureau on international (OECD) seed certification, seed testing, and quality assurance. The ultimate goal is to facilitate international seed trade, agriculture development, and food security worldwide, said a press release on April 27, Saturday..
Bilateral Discussions: In the meeting, both ISTA and OECD Seed Schemes Authorities had bilateral discussions to collaborate and cooperate on International (OECD) Seed Certification, seed testing and quality assurance to facilitate international seed trade, agriculture development and food security worldwide.
Both the organisations committed to focus on awareness creation, knowledge dissemination, and capacity building activities, in their member countries, where their presence is required for agriculture development.
Expansion of Membership: It was also discussed that, the OECD Seed Schemes Authorities is keen to expand its membership in Asian region, like, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and it was also proposed to have meetings with national governments and seed industry associations in the Asian region to initiate OECD Seed Certification membership in these countries.
Presently, only India and Japan are the members of the OECD Seed Schemes in Asia, therefore, the OECD Seed Schemes Bureau is focussing more on Asian region as well as African countries in alignment with United Nations SDG Goal #2 of Zero Hunger by 2030.
Proposal for OECD Annual Meeting 2025 in India: During the discussions, Dr. Csaba Gaspar, Head of the OECD Seed Schemes has requested Dr. K. Keshavulu, ISTA President to organise the OECD Seed Schemes annual meeting in India in June 2025, that would help to buildup capacities, knowledge base, and awareness about the OECD Seed Certification among the Asian countries and also help to enhance seed exports from India under the OECD Seed Schemes. Dr. Csaba Gaspar has also mentioned that India is a leading country in Asian region for OECD Seed Certification, and is a member since 2008.
Telangana role aknowledged
The OECD Seed Schemes Authorities appreciated the Telangana State for taking initiation to begun OECD Seed Certification for the first time in India and organising various capacity building programmes, that paved the way for other Indian States to start OECD Seed Certification and seed exports. It was mentioned that as on date Telangana State has produced and exported more than 1.0 lakh quintals of seeds under the OECD Seed Certification.
The OECD Seed Schemes provides the international regulatory framework for the certification of agricultural seeds moving in the international trade through International (OECD) Seed Certification. It facilitates the international seed trade through globally recognized labels and certificates, which act as passport for seeds. Improves the seed quality regulatory system in the participating countries and thereby promotes quality seed production.
ISTA meeting with UPOV and ISF at Geneva:
ISTA also had meeting the higher authorities of International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and International Seed Federation (ISF) in Geneva, marking a significant step towards enhancing global seed quality assurances, standards, and agricultural development for ensuring food security worldwide. During the meeting, ISTA, UPOV, and ISF discussed on potential areas of collaboration and cooperation to address the evolving challenges in the seed industry.
This collaboration could encompass initiatives such as sharing best practices in innovative plant breeding techniques, plant variety protection, enabling regulatory frameworks, seed testing methodologies, harmonizing seed certification standards, and promoting the adoption of innovative technologies to improve crop yields and productivity towards sustainable agriculture and food security worldwide.
Delegates in the meeting;
- Dr. K. Keshavulu, ISTA President
- Dr. Csaba Gaspar, Head & Programme Manager, OECD Seed Schemes Bureau
• Ms. Aurelia Nicault, Programme Officer of the OECD Seed Sc
- Andreas Waise, ISTA Secretary General
