Pakistan’s expert discovers seed tech in China during an event held in China under the Asian Seed Association.
The Asian Seed Congress (ASC), the premier annual event of the Asian Seed Association (APSA), took place in Sanya, Hainan, China, from December 2 to December 5, with the theme “Riding the Wave of Growth in Asia Pacific.” Since its establishment in 1994, ASC has rotated its location yearly across different countries or regions within the Asia-Pacific. This year marked its 29th edition, setting a record with over 1,500 participants from 52 nations, making it the largest gathering in APSA’s history.
Dr. Rasheed, a seasoned agribusiness expert with more than 15 years of experience, represented Pakistan at the congress. Eager to stay abreast of emerging trends and establish partnerships, he expressed particular interest in vegetable seeds, including chili, tomato, melon, and watermelon. “This is my seventh Asian Seed Congress,” shared Dr. Rasheed, currently serving as the research advisor for Pakistan’s Patron Group. He was particularly intrigued by the trade exhibition, where global seed companies showcased their best varieties, while Chinese exhibitors highlighted cutting-edge biotechnologies.
Dr. Rasheed observed an impressive range of biotechnologically engineered seeds resistant to various environmental and biological challenges. These advancements, he noted, have the potential to significantly enhance agricultural yields in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s seed industry holds immense promise within the Asia-Pacific seed market, valued at $29.7 billion, contributing 32% of the global seed market. The region’s seed use is equally significant, with 26.9 billion tonnes, representing nearly 40% of the global total. Such collaborations, Dr. Rasheed remarked, could drive growth and innovation within Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Highlighting the strong collaboration between Pakistan and China in the seed industry, Dr. Rasheed pointed out China’s extensive seed trade network spanning 116 countries. Hybrid rice, a notable achievement, has been successfully introduced and scaled in regions such as Asia and Latin America. As China’s strategic partner and close neighbor, Pakistan is well-positioned to benefit from and expand such cooperative efforts.
Hybrid rice has proven transformative for Pakistan. Following years of trials, the country has reached a milestone by exporting hybrid rice to third-party markets, symbolizing a significant achievement in agricultural collaboration between China and Pakistan.
