PSIA President Reflects on a Year of Progress and Partnership

In her President’s Report delivered during the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) General Assembly on December 10, Dr. Mary Ann P. Sayoc highlighted 2025 as another productive and meaningful year for the PSIA, marked by collaboration, advocacy, and industry-led initiatives.

Throughout the year, PSIA held its Year-end General Assembly, five Board Meetings, and two Special Meetings to address emerging industry concerns and advance strategic priorities. Organizational initiatives focused on member engagement, capacity building, and public awareness, supported by an active social media presence highlighting plant health, farming issues, member achievements, and key industry events.

As a member of the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) and the International Seed Federation (ISF), PSIA remained actively engaged both locally and internationally, ensuring that the Philippine seed industry is well represented in key policy and technical discussions.

Notable projects in 2025 included the International Women’s Month campaign, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) Vegetable Derby and Harvest Festival in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office III, and the Seedmen’s Training Program conducted with experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The training covered seed technology trends, natural seed treatments, hyperspectral imaging, and seed longevity modeling, benefiting professionals from PSIA member companies.

PSIA also maintained a strong presence in major industry events such as Agrilink 2025, Seed Summit 2025, the International Plant Breeding Conference, and the Sustainable Agriculture Forum, reinforcing its role as a key industry stakeholder while strengthening partnerships with government, academe, and the private sector.

Advocacy and policy outreach remains central to PSIA’s work, with active engagement on seed regulations, phytosanitary measures, farmers’ rights, and the harmonization of international seed movement guidelines to support a science-based and robust seed system.

As PSIA approaches its 50th year, the association continues to grow with a diverse membership and remains committed to advancing innovation, safeguarding seed quality, and strengthening local seed systems for the benefit of Filipino farmers and the broader agricultural sector.