ECO Seed Association (ECOSA) and Turkish Seed Union (TURKTOB) have jointly organized the 7th ECO Regional Seed Trade Congress in Antalya, Turkey between 29 November and 01 December 2019 with the attendance of more than 200 businessmen and stakeholders from ECO region. The congress was preceded by Growtech 18th International Greenhouse, Agricultural Technologies and Livestock Fair has which hosted 86.780 visitors from 120 countries and over 800 brands from 30 countries in Antalya, Turkey.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 7th ECO Regional Seed Trade Congress, ECOSA and TURKTOB Chairman Mr.Savas Akcan, stated that based on the common interests of 10 ECO member countries, the development of the seed sector in the ECO region was their priority. He added that the total world seed market reached around $ 60 billion but unfortunately the domestic seed market in the ECO region had a small portion of world seed market. He urged the countries to increase cooperation in the development of seed trade. He mentioned that ECO region is neighbor to some major food importing markets and this brings enormous opportunities for our countries in seed trade and seed cooperation and there is a potential for increasing the current volume to much higher values. In order to increase high quality seed trade in the region ECOSA had an essential role for integration of our region with the international seed market.
During the inauguration ceremony, on behalf of the Economic Cooperation Organization Ms.Ayإںegül Yorulmazlar, Programme Officer (AIT) gave a statement. She highlighted the importance of the 7th ECO Regional Seed Trade Congress and similar events to promote regional seed trade within and outside the region and to help in sharing experiences among stakeholders of the seed industry.
Özkan Kayacan, General Director of Agricultural Research and Policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, stated that seed production is a very strategic sector and that countries that do not invest in the seed sector cannot survive.
ECO Regional Seed Trade Congress continued with the panel moderated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Deputy General Manager of Plant Production Suat Yؤ±lmaz ‘,ک Seed Quality Standards and Variety Registration .
On the second day of the congress, in addition to bilateral trade meetings, country presentations on Current Situation and Future of ECOSA were made by representatives of ECOSA member countries.
Event links:
https://www.turktob.org.tr/tr/ecosa-7-bolgesel-tohum-ticareti-kongresi-antalyada-yapildi/27198
https://www.growtech.com.tr/
