DUSHANBE, February 21, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Central seed lab at the Republican Seed Inspectorate has lodged application for admission to the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA).

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Hofizullo Muminjonov, a chief coordinator of the “Support to Seed Sector Development in the Republic of Tajikistan” Project, said that ISTA produced internationally agreed rules for seed sampling and testing, accredited laboratories, promoted research, and provided international seed analysis certificates, training and dissemination of knowledge in seed science and technology to facilitate seed trading nationally and internationally.  “We now should prepare the central seed lab for accreditation at ISTA,” he said.

“Admission to ISTA will allow the lab issuing international certificates for seed consignments,” said Muminjonov, “Seeds may be sold on international market only if there is international certificate.”

Founded in 1924, with the aim to develop and publish standard procedures in the field of seed testing, ISTA is inextricably linked with the history of seed testing. With member laboratories in over 70 countries world wide, ISTA membership is truly a global network.