12th November 2016

Tahir Saleemi Elected as Vice President of Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA)

Tahir Saleemi Elected 1st Pakistani Vice Present in 22 years’ history of APSA

Biggest seed Association Conference Held in Korea- Over 1400 delegates participated–

Pakistan supports efforts of APSA to overcome World Food Security Challenges – Tahir Saleemi

APSA, the biggest seed association with 50 member countries, established in Thailand in 1994, held its annual conference at the modern state of the art convention center in the beautiful new city of Incheon Korea. Over 1400 delegates from government, private enterprises, and seed associations attended this conference.  In six technical sessions, experts from all over the world shared their experience on the subjects of world food security and environmental challenges, opportunities, and innovations of new technologies in the seed sector.

Members also elected their eight new executive committee members in their general annual meeting.

Later in the 68^th meeting of fourteen-member executive Committee, comprising representatives from Pakistan, India, USA, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Holland, Belgium and Australia polled election for the position of vice president. Pakistani representative, Mr. Tahir Saleemi, won the election with the heavy majority against Indian candidate. Pakistan will be vice president for two years and will step up as president after Australia completes its tenure. Australia vacated the position of vice president by taking charge of the presidency from China.

Later talking to reporters, Mr. Saleemi said after approval of new Seed Act and Plant Breeder Right bill from the assembly, the presidency of APSA is a big achievement for Pakistan seed Industry which is almost ready to take off. He said next decade is very important for Pakistan’s seed sector, as an increased production cost in China and disputes among national and multinational companies on royalty in India has brought Pakistan on a focus of investors as an alternative seed production hub. APSA can be a source of knowledge and expertise for a vibrant seed industry in Pakistan.

Mr. Tahir Saleemi is CEO of Haji Sons, a renowned seed and extension services company of Pakistan.  Introduction of hybrid vegetable seeds, off season vegetable production in green houses and promotion of high-efficiency Irrigation system. Extension services of new technologies to small vegetable farmers are among his major achievements. He also established modern and State of the art vegetable seedling center at Lahore which serves small farmers not only with healthy and virus free seedlings in case of bad weather conditions but is also a unique learning and demo center of new technologies. All segments of society congratulated Mr. Saleemi for bringing great honor to Pakistan.