The Director (Technical), Mr. S. U. Baig had the honour to chair a session on hybrid rice in Asia Pacific Seed Association Congress held in March at Pattaya, Thailand. This years APSA congress was attended by over 600 delegates from 47 different countries of the world. Mr. Baig has been a regular delegate right from the inception of APSA congress since 1999.

As Chairman of the session on the hybrid rice Mr. Baig threw light on the coverage of hybrid rice in Asian countries in general & India in particular. India hardly has 3% area under hybrid rice & therefore Mr. Baig has made an appeal to the Manila (Philippines) based International Rice Research Institute authorities to look into the matter. Mr. Baig has also extended many valuable suggestions and inputs, which have been thankfully accepted by the APSA congress. At the APSA congress held in Taiwan last year, Mr. Baig’s presentation had received appreciation from the delegates present.