The significance of agriculture in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region cannot be overstated. As per the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 2.2 billion people in Asia depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Many countries in the region consider seed trade a pivotal driver of economic growth. Several nations aspire to become regional or global seed production hubs. Simultaneously, there are developing and least developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region working on enhancing skills and infrastructure to align with international standards and agreements governing global seed trade.

Among the pressing concerns are the absence of updated Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) as per International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 2 and ISPM 11 for seeds, and the level of compliance with standards for the international movement of seeds (ISPM 38 and ISPM 45) and other international agreements. These challenges significantly impede these countries’ access to and prospects in the expanding global seed market.

The primary objective of this project is to assess the capabilities of the countries selected to conduct phytosanitary processes, specifically for seeds effectively. The project aims to address key Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues impacting regional and global seed trade. Additionally, it seeks to promote regional coordination and encourage collaboration among the countries, fostering the sharing of experiences and best practices related to SPS issues.

Furthermore, the project intends to facilitate public-private collaborations, bringing together public officials and members of the private seed industry in a unified forum to enhance SPS-related compliance. This collaborative effort aims to facilitate the growth of regional and national seed industries.

The project will organize capacity-building initiatives for National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) in participating countries. This includes activities such as updating Pest Risk Analysis (ISPM 2 and ISPM 11), implementing international standards like ISPM 38, obtaining third-party laboratory accreditation through the implementation of ISPM 45, and building capacity for the adoption of electronic phytosanitary certificates (the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ePhyto solution).