A two-day workshop titled “Joint Public–Private Workshops on Private Sector Investments in Seed Health Testing and Implementation of ISPM 45” was organized by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) on 3–4 July 2026.
The workshop was held under the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)-funded project “Strengthening Phytosanitary Compliance to Boost Seed Trade in the Asia-Pacific.” It brought together 19 National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) representatives from Nepal, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, along with 3 private sector representatives from Nepal and Bangladesh.
The event was attended by Hon. Bhim Bahadur Karki, Minister of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives, Gandaki Province, Pokhara, Nepal; Dr. Prerana Sedhai, Province Secretary of Gandaki Province; and Mr. Bhoj Raj Sapkota, Joint Secretary and Chief of the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre (PQPMC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal.
“Gandaki Province is investing in biological pesticides, organic and climate-smart agriculture, while promoting export-oriented agricultural production. We appreciate this workshop as an important platform for knowledge sharing,” said Hon. Bhim Bahadur Karki.
The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and structured collaboration between NPPOs and the private seed sector by raising awareness of private sector investments in seed health testing and supporting the implementation of ISPM 45 through joint public–private engagement.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Mr. Arthur Santosh Attavar, Chairman and Managing Director, Indo-American Hybrid Seeds (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Rajvir Rathi, Director, Agricultural Affairs and Policy, Bayer CropScience. They discussed the strategic importance of private sector engagement in seed health. Their presentations highlighted the significant investments required in laboratory infrastructure and testing capabilities, and emphasized how private sector investment in seed health testing is crucial for strengthening food security, biosecurity, and safe seed trade.
Mr. Arthur Santosh Attavar noted, “Producing quality seed requires not only suitable agroclimatic conditions but also strong infrastructure, technology, and efficient systems to ensure timely delivery of seed to farmers”
The workshop also showcased a successful example of private sector investment in Bangladesh’s seed certification system. Ms. Quamrun Nahar, Deputy Director and DSCO, Seed Certification Agency (SCA), Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh, presented a case study on the Lal Teer Molecular and Traditional Pathology Testing Laboratory.
She highlighted Lal Teer Seed Limited’s establishment of the MNT Testing Laboratory, which secured Bangladesh’s first private sector ISTA accreditation in 2023. The case study also explained the laboratory’s alignment with ISPM 45 principles through a structured official authorization protocol, demonstrating how private sector facilities can strengthen national seed quality assurance systems.
Dr. Rosineide Souza Richards provided an overview of ISPM 45, emphasizing that “authorization remains under the responsibility, oversight, and authority of the NPPO,” while phytosanitary certification, regulatory authority, and policy decisions continue to be official NPPO functions. The session was followed by a discussion on NPPO perspectives regarding the authorization of selected phytosanitary actions.
To support the safe seed movement, the workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Ms. Francine Sayoc, Executive Secretary of the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), introduced the core concepts of public-private partnerships, highlighting that alignment of goals between both sectors is essential to achieving desired outcomes.
She stated, “The private sector is willing to support knowledge development and infrastructure investments, but such investments are generally driven by clear commercial benefits and returns”
The workshop highlighted the Seed Phyto Portal and its role in improving access to phytosanitary information, while emphasizing the importance of continued contributions from beneficiary countries and cooperation from NPPOs to strengthen its effectiveness. It also introduced a practical session on functional capacity development, facilitated by Ms. Darshika P. Senadheera, focusing on the non-technical knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors required to effectively apply technical capacities and achieve long-term development outcomes.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal emphasized the importance of defining clear next steps for project implementation and developing country-specific roadmaps that reflect varying levels of seed system development and private sector engagement. He also reaffirmed APAARI’s commitment to supporting participating countries through future initiatives and potential new projects where additional assistance is needed.
About the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)
The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership that facilitates safe and inclusive trade. Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which houses and manages the partnership, the STDF supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It responds to evolving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) needs, drives inclusive trade, and contributes to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and resilience to climate change.
About the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)
Founded in 1990 by FAO, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) is a membership-based, apolitical, and multi-stakeholder organization that promotes agricultural research and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. APAARI brings together National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), international research centres, regional and sub-regional fora, universities, NGOs, and private sector actors. Its mission is to strengthen agri-food research and innovation systems for sustainable development and food security in the region.
