By Sara Safikhan, Knowledge and Capacity Building Manager, Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), Bangkok; Seetharam Ananda, Chief Technology Officer, Nuziveedu Seeds, Hyderabad & Chair of Special Interest Group of Field Crops (SIG-FC), APSA, and P.H. Zaidi, CIMMYT Asia Maize Program, Hyderabad
CIMMYT and the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) convened a high-level meeting in Hyderabad on 21 August 2026 to explore opportunities for closer collaboration between international agricultural research and the Asian seed industry, and to bring together perspectives from across regions and sectors. The meeting brought together representatives from APSA’s Special Interest Group on Field Crops and CIMMYT’s global and regional teams to discuss how global maize science, technology, and industry experience can work together to address emerging challenges in maize and meet the exponentially increasing demands in the Asia region. The discussions were built around earlier conversations between APSA and CIMMYT and focused on how stronger connections between research institutions and seed companies can help translate scientific advances into practical solutions for breeding programs and seed markets across Asia and the wider tropical regions.
Connecting research with industry needs
The meeting covered a broad range of topics, reflecting the evolving priorities of the maize and broader seed sector. These included emerging and transboundary pests and diseases, disease resistance and screening, germplasm access and characterization, modern breeding approaches, genome editing, speed breeding, hybrid seed production technologies, and opportunities related to specialized end uses of maize.
Participants also discussed the importance of strengthening breeding programs through better use of genetic resources, improved data, and modern breeding tools. The conversation highlighted that while advanced technologies can open new possibilities, their value ultimately depends on how effectively they respond to real breeding and market needs. Rather than attempting to define a broad portfolio of activities immediately, the discussion emphasized the importance of identifying practical areas where collaboration can demonstrate tangible value for seed companies and breeders.
From meeting room to maize research fields
The meeting also included a visit to CIMMYT’s experimental and research fields in Hyderabad, which gave APSA members and industry participants an opportunity to see CIMMYT’s breeding materials, research facilities, and field-based activities first-hand. The field visit complemented the technical discussions by providing a closer look at the environments, materials, and research infrastructure underpinning CIMMYT’s work. For industry participants, it also offered an opportunity to connect scientific discussions with the realities of breeding and product development. The combination of discussion and field exposure helped create a more direct exchange between researchers and industry practitioners, moving the conversation from what is technically possible to what could be practically useful for seed companies.
A global perspective with strong relevance for Asia
One major strength of the meeting was its international character. Under the leadership of Dr. Ashish Saxena, Director of the Global Maize Program at CIMMYT, the maize scientists from India, Kenya, Mexico and Zimbabwe brought perspectives and experiences from different regions, including Africa, Asia and Latin America, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of crop improvement and seed systems. The exchange highlighted that challenges affecting maize production and breeding are rarely confined to a single geography. Emerging pests and diseases, climate-related pressures, changing production systems and new breeding technologies are creating common questions across tropical regions, while solutions may increasingly benefit from collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders. This global perspective was especially relevant for APSA, which plays a key role in connecting Asia’s seed industry with international research, innovation, and capacity-building networks.
Building pathways for potential collaboration
For APSA, the meeting represents an important step towards creating more structured channels through which its members can engage with CIMMYT’s scientific expertise, germplasm resources, technologies, services and training opportunities. The discussions also highlighted potential opportunities for future technical learning and capacity development, including areas related to molecular and modern breeding, genome editing, and other emerging technologies. Such initiatives could help industry professionals strengthen technical capabilities while also building greater understanding between research institutions and commercial breeding programs.
The meeting concluded with agreement to continue developing the areas of mutual interest and to explore concrete opportunities for collaboration. Further discussions will help determine which areas can be developed into practical initiatives involving APSA members. For the Asian seed sector, the value of such engagement extends beyond individual projects. Creating spaces where researchers, breeders, and industry leaders can exchange knowledge, identify common priorities, and understand each other’s capabilities can help strengthen the pathways between research, capacity development, and innovation.
As APSA and CIMMYT move forward, the Hyderabad meeting represents more than a single event. It signals a growing commitment to connect regional seed industry needs with global agricultural research expertise. By working together, both organizations can help strengthen innovation pathways, support stronger breeding programs, and contribute to a more resilient and competitive seed sector across Asia.