b'strengthen the global position of ISTA as an interface betweenthe application of new or emerging technologies into current seed research, industry and regulatory bodies that greatly facil- methods by supporting the work of the technical committees, itates the identification of needs for new methods or changesbesides encouraging membership participation in development in the existing methods especially with regards to tropical andof new tests and methods. ISTA is also facilitating the access of sub-tropical species. I will also try to expand the reach of ISTAits rules by encouraging translation into more languages and and also find more ISTA auditors to regions, where the ISTA isdeveloping new ways of promoting the importance of the ISTA underrepresented. rules in the seed value chain.ES: WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF ISTA? ES: WHICH CHANGES HAVE YOU WITNESSED AT ISTA KK:Good quality seed is an essential starting point for any cropOVER THESE PAST 10 YEARS?production. All farmers need seed where the varietal purity isKK:In the past 10 years, several changes have occurred in ISTA guaranteed through internationally agreed certification and seedto meet the needs of both the seed sector and situation with quality has been verified by laboratories operating under an inter- global farming. To mention a few, the number of technical com-nationally accepted quality system. ISTA is the leading interna- mittees has increased to 20, the continued evolution of the ISTA tional organization in setting and publishing seed sampling andRules and their translation into Spanish, workshops, seminars seed testing methods for domestic and international seed trade,and symposia, growth in the number of ISTA- accredited labora-and also for cooperation in building seed testing capacity andtories, open access to Seed Science and Technology (SST: ISTAs capability. ISTA as an international accreditation body in seedscientific journal), online training programs and the introduc-sampling and seed testing, recognising the competency of labo- tion of the electronic certificates. These changes have been made ratories and sampling entities. ISTA is also supporting innovativeto address the ever-changing needs of members, seed industry research that makes the link between scientific developments andand the farming community. applications to meet the needs of the seed sector. ES: IN YOUR VIEW, WHERE ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR ISTA IN THE COMING DECADE?KK:The existing seed systems around the globe are not at the same level of development, they vary significantly between the regions. For example, development is more advanced and strin-gent in EU, well developed in North America, Latin America, and India, but still in the developmental stage in some African and Asian countries. Similarly, quality assurance systems are dif-fering in line with the local seed systems. These can be broadly categorised into three types, i.e., no or weak seed testing sys-tems, moderately developed seed testing systems and strong/advance seed testing systems. Governments need to support the seed sector within an enabling environment throughout the value chain, to help have enhanced access to quality seeds at affordable prices with food security crops, especially in developing countries.Obviously, the biggest challenge will be ensuring unin-terrupted continuation of ISTA activities in this uncertain and unpredictable pandemic situation, because we dont know when the current pandemic will end. Several meetings, workshops and audits became virtual or were delayed. Apart from these, attracting and retaining a younger generation of seed profes-sionals into the association, expanding the ISTAs reach to the underprivileged nations, identification, and validation of new Seed germination analysis by differentplanting methods.methods for the industry, and increasing the membership base will be the major challenges.In 2024, ISTA enters its second century. In the precedingES: WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GLOBAL 100 years, ISTA has made tremendous progress in the field ofORGANIZATION SUCH AS ISTA?seed science and testing. Hence, my vision for the future of ISTAKK:Although seed testing was in practice in the early 19th would be continuing the legacy of development of scientificallycentury in European nations as a way to provide information sound rules and advanced methods for seed sampling and test- on the planting value of seed to the farmers and traders, we ing that meet the needs of the seed sector and also developingcan also find some references to the seed testing in our Indian collaborations to increase seed testing capacity and capabil- mythologies/epics/ancient manuscripts. However, there was no ity worldwide. In addition, strengthening of the accreditationuniformity in seed sampling and testing procedures across all system to ensure it meets the needs of ISTA members and allthe world regions. The need for having harmonised and uniform other stakeholders; strengthening of the science and technology,rules and procedures for seed testing and sampling, plus the underpinning ISTA to develop innovative research to make thenecessity of in-depth knowledge of plant and seed morphology, link between scientific developments and applications in seedtaxonomy and physiology as a prerequisite for the development sampling and testing and to allow the requirements of the seedof harmonised seed testing methodologies, and also the research sector to be met; strengthening of the basic or standard testsand development activities in different areas of seed science and of purity, other seed determination, moisture and germination,technology led to the establishment of organizations like the including developing methods for new species, especially tropi- Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) in 1908, the Society cal and sub-tropical species. Further, development of tests andof Commercial Seed Technologists in 1922 and International methods based on science and new technologies and facilitateSeed Testing Association (ISTA) in 1924. Through these organ-18IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'