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ICARDA News International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012 Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG Website: www.icarda.cgiar.org |
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Media
contact:
Dr Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
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22 December 2005
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for the CWANA Region
The objectives of the conference were to (i) review the potential of the seed market in the CWANA region; (ii) provide a forum to promote business contacts among seed companies; (iii) provide opportunities for stimulating regional seed trade; (iv) share experience in seed trade among stakeholders; and (v) explore opportunities to establish a regional seed trade association. The conference attracted 222 participants from over 40 countries, representing the private seed companies from CWANA, as well as Africa, Asia, Europe and USA. A few private seed equipment manufacturers from Asia, Europe and USA participated. International, regional, and national seed trade associations from Asia and Europe and international/regional organizations working on seeds (ISF, ISTA, OECD, UPOV, CIHEAM, ICARDA) were also present. A total of 33 international, regional and national public and private seed companies, and equipment manufacturers, exhibited their products at the conference. In addition, a trading floor was provided for business negotiations between the potential suppliers and customers. Key presentations by world renowned resource persons covered policy, regulatory, institutional and technical issues, quarantine, and biotechnology, affecting the seed industry at global, regional and national levels. Specifically, the following topics were covered: (i) Impact of International Treaties and Agreements on Seed Trade; (ii) Status and Prospects of Seed Industry in the CWANA Region; (iii) Regulatory Choices to Support Seed Sector Development; (iv) Public-Private Sector Partnership in Seed Sector Development; (v) Plant Variety Protection and its Impact on Seed Sector Development; (vi) Status and Prospects of Vegetable Seed Market in the NENA Region; (vii) the Role of Asia Pacific Seed Association in Promoting Seed Trade; and (viii) the Need for a Regional Seed Association. Drs Tony van Gastel and Zewdie Bishaw (as members of the Organizing Committee) and Dr Koffi Amegbeto, all from ICARDA, participated in the conference. For more information, please contact: Dr Antony van Gastel |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org)
serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil,
and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management
of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants
(sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In
the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible
for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage
legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of
the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.