b'INTERNATIONAL NEWSGLOBAL SEED WATCHNEW ZEALAND GRAIN AND SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION HAS ELECTED ITS FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENTAND NIGERIA APPROVES COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF GM INSECT-RESISTANT AND DROUGHT-TOLERANT MAIZE VARIETIESSTATUS CANADA tively propagating seed (VPS). Under the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Vegetatively Propagating Seeds) Regulations, 2023, the VPS are The USask crop research projects received support fromgrouped into root and tuber crops, oil and nut crops, sugar crop, Saskatchewans Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), meant tomedicinal herbs, spices and aromatic plants, beverage crops, fruit aid the growth and advancement of the agricultural industry intrees, grasses and pasture legume. According to the new regula-the province through innovative work solving modern questions intions, a person shall not sell Vegetatively Propagating Seed without agricultural science. The ADF is supported through the Sustainablea valid Vegetatively Propagating Seed producers or sellers regis-Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), an investment of $3.5tration Certificate.billion over five years from federal, provincial and territorial gov- Source: Farmers Review Africaernments with the goal of supporting the agri-food and agri-product sectors across Canada. The Sustainable CAP includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment forSTATUS NEW ZEALANDprograms designed by provinces and territories that is cost-shared 60 per cent by the federal government and 40 per cent by provincial/ The New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association has elected its territorial governments. Twenty-nine USask-led projects receivedfirst female president, Charlotte Connoley. Connoley was elected nearly $7.5 million from the ADF. Of those 29 projects, 12 receivedat the associations annual meeting in Auckland in October, taking a total of more than $2.5 million from key agricultural industry andover from Michael Hales. Connoley said it was good for the industry research partners including Alberta Grains, the Manitoba Cropas a whole to have a woman in the role.Alliance, the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission,I think its important for all women in the industry to see this the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, theas something that is achievable. The days where the seed industry Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, the Saskatchewanwas male dominated have definitely changed.Forage Seed Development Commission, Saskatchewan PulseConnoley, who grew up on a farm in the Hakataramea Valley, Growers, and the Western Grains Research Foundation. Researchnow lives in the Bay of Plenty and is co-owner and general manager funded by the ADF ranges in scope from genomic analysis of cropof Kings Seeds. Connoley brings 20 years of experience in the seed species to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through cropindustry to the presidents role and joined the associations executive rotation, to methods for improving crop yields through changingin 2018, the first female executive in its 100-year history.climate conditions.Connoley said the demands of motherhood could be a factor, Source: Crop Development Centre but the industry needed to look at ways to encourage women to return to the workforce after having children.Connoley said she was looking to continue the good work the STATUS CHINA association had done to date, including projects currently under way, such as seed certification software that needed to be completed.Chinese corn breeders are preparing for the planting of more thanSource: New Zealand Heralddouble the amount of genetically modified corn next year than in 2023, three industry sources said, with Beijing expected to tightly control for a second year the rollout of GMOs. GMO corn will beSTATUS NIGERIAallowed on around 10 million mu, or about 670,000 hectares (1.66 million acres), in eight provinces next year, including the northeast- The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the commercial ern province of Liaoning for the first time, said one of the sources,release of genetically modified insect-resistant and drought-tolerant who was briefed on a proposal discussed at a meeting held by themaize varieties, known as TELA maize. With this latest develop-agriculture ministry last month. The source declined to be identifiedment, GM maize becomes the second food crop, after Bt cowpea, because the plan is not public and could still change. The other twoto be commercialized in the country. The approval was granted by sources, who are familiar with the situation, also said GMO seedthe National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of developers and breeders are preparing for the planting of around 10Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) on million mu. The mu is a Chinese area measurement equal to aboutJanuary 11, 2024, in Ibadan. The varieties approved are SAMMAZ 1/15 of a hectare. 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T, and SAMMAZ 75T. The Source: CNA new varieties are drought tolerant and are resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworm, resulting in a yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices. The national average STATUS KENYA for similar hybrids is 6 tonnes per hectare. The varieties are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas. Stem borers reduce The Kenyan government through the Ministry of Agriculturemaize production in several African countries, while fall army-and Livestock Development has developed new regulations thatworms can destroy up to 20 million metric tons of maize in Africa are aimed at enhancing quality and access to a variety of vegeta- each year, enough to feed 100 million people. 38ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE'