East-West Seed launches search for 30 Filipino farmer-heroes

MANILA, Philippines – As Asia’s leading vegetable company East West Seed marks its 30th year, it calls for the search for 30 farmer-heroes in the Philippines who have achieved success, shown innovativeness in adopting improved technologies, contributed significantly to their community’s development, and improved consumer welfare using East-West Seed varieties.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to recognize the hard work and extremely valuable – but often underappreciated – contribution of our local ‘farmer-heroes’ to their bigger communities,” said Mary Ann Sayoc, East-West Seed Philippines General Manager.

“For the past 30 years, East-West Seed Philippines has collaborated with local vegetable growers, and we have always been inspired by their ingenuity and innovativeness. Farmers face a different challenge now: they must feed more people with the same amount of land. We realize the critical role that farmers play in food security and nutrition, and we do our part by producing vegetable seed varieties that thrive in varying conditions and challenges,” she added.

The search spans 15 regions nationwide with 30 nominees per region.  The nominees will be evaluated based on the following:  their unique success story as a vegetable farmer; their positive influence in their farming communities such as promoting the growth of vegetable farming, creating jobs and uplifting the livelihood of others; and their exemplary adaptation of improved technologies for vegetable production.

“A good seed can change the lives of millions,” added Sayoc.  “We believe that a good seed is the starting point of a long chain of value creation: by using high quality, high performing seeds, farmers harvest better yields and earn more from their land and labor.  This also means tastier, more attractive and nutritious vegetables for consumers and households.”

East West Seed Co. was established in the Philippines in 1982 by Simon Groot, a Dutch agriculturist who saw the need for seeds that were adapted to local conditions in Asia.  Together with local partner and seed trader Benito Domingo, he founded East West Seed in the Philippines, and then later on, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. The company’s strategy is based on breeding suitable varieties that allow farmers to be more productive, thereby contributing to agricultural sustainability.

It holds leading market positions in Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka. It has also expanded its business activities in India, China, Latin and South America, and Africa. East-West seeds are planted in the fields of over 30 million farmers worldwide.