East-West Seed Annual Review 2022

On the Cover

Johnny Gatuz, a vegetable farmer from Bulacan, Philippines, is proudly showcasing a harvest of Garnet tomatoes (EWS Variety). Returning to the Philippines after an unsuccessful stint in Saudi Arabia, Johnny persevered and began cultivating vegetables on rented land. Today, his dedication has led him to own over three hectares of land, a testament to his progress. Johnny’s impact extends beyond his farm. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched a YouTube channel, sharing his knowledge on vegetable farming. His dedication paid off, earning him the YouTube silver play button and inspiring over 112,000 subscribers to embark on their own vegetable farming journeys. Johnny’s story is a reminder of the power of passion and dedication, and the potential within each of us to grow a better and healthier tomorrow.

2022 OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

Copyright © 2023 by East-West Seed

All rights reserved. This report or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of East-West Seed.

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Printed in Thailand.

Managing Editor: Sariyaporn Srisuksawad

Design and Layout: Piyathida Pornpitchyapong

Table of Contents

I: Introduction

Growing A Healthier Tomorrow

Mission, Vision, Core Values

II. Message from the Supervisory Board

III: Message from the Managing Board

IV: East-West Seed Company Profile

East-West Seed Around the World

Our Company Through the Years

At a Glance

V: Growing Healthier Tomorrow

A Summary of Our Growth and the Value We Created in 2022

• Growing with our Farmers

• Growing Innovation

• Growing with our Passion Teams

• Growing Healthier and Sustainable Communities

Growing A Healthier Tomorrow

At East-West Seed, our mission is to promote innovative seed technology and farming techniques that empower farmers to increase yields of nutritious vegetables. We work closely with farmers to understand their needs and develop seeds that are well-suited to local growing conditions. This approach has established us as a trusted partner and friend to farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Our focus on improving vegetable production for global health stems from the fact that vegetables are a vital source of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. However, many regions around the world have limited access to fresh, nutritious vegetables, leading to malnutrition and health issues.

To help farmers grow more and higher-quality vegetables, our innovative varieties enable the production of crops that have better resistance to pests and diseases, as this allows farmers to minimize pesticide and chemical use.

We are also committed to sharing our expertise with farmers and growers worldwide. By offering training and support, we help farmers improve crop yields and adopt sustainable farming practices. This approach strengthens local farming communities and fosters a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Through our commitment to improving vegetable production, promoting global health with innovativeseed technology and farming techniques, and advocating for sustainable agriculture, East-West Seed is paving the way for a healthier future for all.

Mission Vision

Be the leading and most trusted tropical vegetable seed company in the world

Our mission is to provide innovative seeds and services that help improve the livelihoods of tropical vegetable farmers and promote sustainable farming and business practices

Core Values

Serving Farmers Learning and Innovation

We serve farmers. We are the farmers’ champion. We listen closely to them and we understand their needs. We offer our best solutions and deliver quality in everything we do to improve their yield and income.

We cultivate ideas and harvest innovation. Research excites us. We explore novel approaches, apply new technologies, and build an environment for creativity - whether in the laboratory, in the field or in the office.

Passionate Teams

We aim for excellence in serving farmers by constantly challenging ourselves and the team to excel. As a team we can achieve more than what an individual can. We work together, trust each other, care for and respect each other’s unique and diverse talents.

EAST-WEST SEED Supervisory Board

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Simon Groot Honorary Chairman & Founder

Ivan Chung Member

Maaike Groot Member

Ard Groot Chairman

James Amatavivadhana Member

Rutger Groot Member

Mary Sue Rogers Vice Chairman

Joost Pekelharing Member

3 6 9 EAST-WEST SEED 8

Message From the Supervisory Board

Though it holds true for every year, 2022 was an especially extraordinary one. The lifting of COVID restrictions early in the year seemed to herald a brighter future following two years of limitations and constraints imposed by the pandemic.

However, this optimism was short-lived. The war in Ukraine in February had a terrible impact on people not only in the region but also worldwide. Increased pressure on the food system and rising fertilizer prices particularly affected those in need, such as smallholder farmers – the very individuals East-West Seed was established to support. We feel a deep sense of responsibility for our farmers throughout the tropical world.

In 2022, East-West Seed demonstrated its resilience and showed itself as a special company. We remain committed to our mission of providing the best seeds and services to our customers, improving their livelihoods, and promoting sustainable farming and business practices. Despite 2022’s challenges, we decided to continue investing in our business, our people, and East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer. Ultimately, we believe that our impact will be greater as we reach more farmers worldwide. We have trust in our company’s strategy and leadership team, and we are confident that East-West Seed has a bright future.

2022 was also a significant milestone in East-West Seed’s history, as it marked 40 years since Simon Groot, along with his local partner Benito Domingo, launched the business in the Philippines. Soon after, he expanded operations to Thailand, where the company’s headquarters now stand. From the outset, Simon’s philosophy centered on putting farmers at the heart of everything we did and planned. He understood that we could only make an impact by expanding our vision and mission to as many countries as possible.

Today, East-West Seed operates not only in Asia but also in Africa and Latin America, with plans to enter new markets in the future. Thanks to a sound strategy, a fantastic team, and a deep understanding of our farmers’ needs in every country in which we operate, we eagerly look forward to the next 40 years of supporting farmers all over the world.

This year also saw a change in East-West Seed’s leadership. Douwe Zijp, who served as a member of our Supervisory Board for nearly five years before accepting the CEO role in 2020 during a transitional period, decided to step down and rejoin the Supervisory Board. We are all immensely grateful for his contributions, passion, and energy, and we warmly welcome him back to the Supervisory Board. With JC Filippi, we found a great successor for Douwe. JC brings over 30 years of senior leadership and business development experience in agribusiness, life sciences, and the food industry across Asia. With JC at the helm, East-West Seed’s future looks bright. Through the support of a robust Managing Board, leadership team, and dedicated employees worldwide, I am confident that we will continue our successful journey and reach even more smallholder farmers in the years to come.

On behalf of the Supervisory Board,

- Ard GrootChairman

EAST-WEST SEED Managing Board

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JC Filippi Chief Executive Officer

Dilip Rajan Chief Operating Officer

Cathlea Barote Chief People Officer

Ratiporn Ratcharoen Chief Finance Officer

Joost van Elzakker Chief Commercial Officer

Katalin Pakozdi Chief Research and Development Officer

Message From the Managing Board

It is with great admiration for East-West Seed’s work over the years that I am speaking to you as the new CEO of this incredible and purpose-driven company.

I am deeply grateful to the Supervisory Board, shareholders, and especially our founder, Simon Groot, for their trust. I have found East-West Seed to be a strong and healthy organization with a robust strategy, a clear mission and vision, and a unique focus on smallholder vegetable farmers in the tropics. I am confident that we have many growth opportunities and a bright future ahead.

In my first months as CEO, I have prioritized listening — to our customers, to better understand their needs; to our employees, to learn how they feel and what support they require to better serve our farmers; and to our shareholders, to understand their vision and expectations. What I see is immense passion from our people, both for the business and its purpose. However, everyone understands that we can only sustain our purpose as long as the company remains financially healthy and commercially successful.

Through my conversations with farmers in different markets, I have observed a deep sense of trust in our company, our brand, and our ability to deliver quality products that meet their constantly changing needs. We have built this trust over 40 years of excellence and commitment to our mission. Building trust is essential, but establishing trust is even more crucial. We must always innovate to offer better products and services and regularly review and update our strategy to remain relevant, thus ensuring we can continuously deliver value to customers. With our five years strategy, PACE in place, we are doing exactly that. We are striking a balance between continuity and leadership in our existing core markets and pursuing profitable growth in new regions. In addition to Asia, we have entered selected markets in Africa and Latin America, and together with the East-West Knowledge Transfer team, we are laying the groundwork for further market expansion in the near future.

A key aspect of our strategy is our commitment to sustainable farming. As a market leader, we have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. In collaboration with the EWS Knowledge Transfer, we are focusing on training farmers how to adopt sustainable practices and how to adapt farming practices for climate change. East-West Seed’s uniqueness lies in our close relationship with our smallholder farmers. By working alongside them in their fields, we truly understand their wants and needs. I strongly believe that together with our farmers, we can make a significant positive impact on the future of farming in the tropics.

But for me personally, sustainability goes beyond environmental concerns. It encompasses inclusion, openness, fairness, equality, and equity in doing what is right for our employees and customers. In 2022, East-West Seed hosted the first Women Farmers Congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands. We recognize that achieving gender parity in agriculture is a long journey, but we are committed to leading the way and promoting diversity among our farmers. The future of agriculture is diverse, and this presents a significant opportunity for our industry and East-West Seed. Now is the time to accelerate and move forward.

On behalf of the Managing Board, -

JC FilippiChief Executive Officer

East-West Seed Around the World

East-West Seed and East-West Seed Affiliated Companies

East-West Seed Company, Incorporated

Hortigen Properties Corporation

East West Seed Company Limited

PT East West Seed Indonesia

East-West International B.V.

Philippines

Philippines

Thailand

Indonesia

Netherlands

Hortigenetics Research (S.E. Asia) Limited Thailand

East West Seed International Limited Thailand

East-West Seed (Guatemala), S.A.

East West Seeds India Private Limited

East-West Seed (Cambodia) Company Limited

East-West Seed (Myanmar) Company Limited Myanmar

Farm Ready GG Seedling Corporation

East West Seed (Malaysia) SDN. BHD

East West Seed Bangladesh Private Limited

EW Seed Nigeria Limited

Philippines

Malaysia

Bangladesh

Our Company Through the Years

• East-West Seed was first established in 1982 in the Philippines, with first trials at the Hortanova Farm Batangas, Philippines

• East-West Seed Vietnam is established in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

• Opening of processing plant in Aurangabad, India

• Farm Ready was established for seedling production in The Philippines

• Establishment of East-West Seed Co. Ltd in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand, and become East-West Seed Headquarter

• Hortigenetics Research SE Asia is established as the EWS research headquarter in Chiangmai, Thailand

• Operating office expanded in Africa: Establishment of East-West Seed Tanzania in Moshi, Tanzania

• The first R&D station in Thailand is Lert Phan Farm, located in Chiangmai,Thailand

• Establishment of East West Seeds India (Sales and Marketing office) in Aurangabad

• First set up in Myanmar, a local company in Yangon

• East-West Seed incorporated with Cap Panah Merah and established PT East West Seed Indonesia in West Java, with three research stations

• Establishment of Regional Operating Headquarter in Nonthaburi, Thailand

• Opening Simon Groot Research Center (R&D Headquater), Chiang Mai, Thailand, with DNA facilities

International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) accreditation of the Quality Assurance laboratory in Thailand, the first private laboratory in Thailand to receive this accreditation

2011

• Establishment of a representative office in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Operating office expansion in Latin America, acquisition of Semillas Tropicales, Guatemala

• Simon Groot is awarded the Mansholt Award for Sustainable Entrepreneurship from Wageningen University

2014 2019

• Simon Groot is awarded an Honorable Doctor’s Degree in Agricultural Science by Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand, in December

• First setup of East-West Seed (Hai Mui Ten Do) in Binh Duong, Vietnam

• Establishment of EWS Yuma, California, USA. R&D station, specifically for breeding Onion

• East-West Seed is ranked #1 in the South and Southeast Asia Index by Access to Seeds

• Established fully owned distribution subsidiary in Selangor, Malaysia

• East-West Seed is ranked #1 on Access to Seeds Index in South and Southeast Asia

• East-West Seed is ranked #2 on Access to Seeds Index in Western and Central Africa

• East-West Seed is ranked #3 on Access to Seeds Index in Eastern and Southern Africa

• Establish Farm Lert Phan 2, Thailand (Propose of LP2)

• Simon N. Groot received the 2019 World Food Prize for his transformative role in empowering millions of smallholder farmers in more than 60 countries to earn greater incomes through enhanced vegetable production

• Establishment of East-West Seed Brazil in São Paulo, Brazil, and research center

2021 2016

• East-West Seed is ranked #1in the Access to Seeds Index, Global Index for Vegetables, and Regional Index for Eastern Africa

• Establishment of EastWest Seed Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Establishment of East-West Seed Nigeria

• Celebrate the 40th anniversary of EAST-WEST SEED

• East-West Seed is ranked #1in the Access to Seeds Index, Global Index for Vegetables, and Regional Index for Eastern Africa

• Established fully owned company in Yangon, Myanmar, operating as East-West Seed Myanmar

• Established fully owned distribution subsidiary in Cambodia, operating as East-West Seed Cambodia

• East-West Seed is ranked 28 out of 53 in Fortune’s annual ‘Change the World’ list of global companies that are “doing well by doing good.”

At a Glance

DIRECT PRESENCE IN 12 MARKETS EXPORT TO 75 MARKETS

20 R&D CENTERS IN 9 COUNTRIES

80 CROPS 740 VARIETIES OFFERED TO FARMERS

52 MILLION SMALL POUCHES SOLD IN 2022

23 MILLION FARMERS SERVED WORLDWIDE

138 K FARMERS TRAINED IN 2022

Top 10 Crops of 2022

BITTER GOURD

Growing Healthier Tomorrow

A Summary of Our Growth and the Value We Created in 2022

Lipa city

As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, our founder, Simon N. Groot, led the opening of the East-West Seed (EWS) museum, located in the “cradle of East-West Seed,” the Hortanova Research Center in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines.

Housed in the first EWS building at Hortanova, the museum showcases our company’s remarkable journey over the past four decades through a curated collection of photographs, memorabilia, publications, equipment, and other mementos. Groot’s old office desk and personal scrapbook, which includes photos of Hortanova Farm in its early days, are also featured in the museum.

“This evokes a lot of emotions in me; all the memories come back very strongly,” Groot shared as part of an impromptu speech at the museum’s opening. “It’s been a long road to reach this point.”

He also emphasized that it has been a “long learning experience” for East-West Seed to become what it is today. Even after four decades, we continue to learn, particularly from farmers in Africa and Brazil.

“My main satisfaction is seeing smiling farmers,” Groot added. “The real purpose of our existence is to create a whole world with a few million more smiling farmers.”

East-West Seed opens its first museum

Batangas, Phillippines

Field Day to Celebrate ‘A Healthier Tomorrow’

The East-West Seed Field Day is an event organized to showcase the latest vegetable varieties and farming practices to retailers, farmers, and other stakeholders in the agriculture industry.

The year 2022 was unique as we celebrated 40 years of growing a healthier tomorrow alongside our smallholder farmers. This year’s Field Day, themed ‘Growing a Healthier Tomorrow,’ featured new vegetable varieties, the latest innovations, and best practices in vegetable farming for a sustainable future. Participants also had the opportunity to interact with experts, and exchange knowledge and share experiences with other respected seed industry professionals and smallholder farmers.

Kick off in Nigeria

Our 40th Anniversary celebration began in January with the National Farmers Field Day in Nigeria. Event highlights included a Mock Field Day, which showcased 15 crops and 40 varieties from EWS Nigeria, and the engaging “Real Stories from Real Farmers” conversation sessions

East-West Seed Thailand held over a span of five field days at its headquarters.

As part of our ongoing 40th anniversary celebration, East-West Seed Thailand hosted a series of five field days at its headquarters in Nonthaburi. The event included fun and conceptual workshops led by our experts and showcased our more than 200 varieties of innovative seed products.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Remco van Wijngaarden, the Netherlands ambassador to Thailand, EWS CEO Douwe Zijp, and EWS Thailand General Manager Wichai Laocharoenpornkul. More than 700 EWS farmers were invited to the event to attend workshops, explore educational booths, and visit our fields.

East-West Seed Philippines Honors 40 ‘Farmer Heroes’ and Holds Vegetable Field Day

East-West Seed Philippines honored 40 “Farmer Heroes” to mark its 40 years of “Growing a Healthier Tomorrow.” The award ceremony took place on Oct. 7, 2022, at Lime Hotel in Pasay City.

The following day, East-West Seed hosted a vegetable demo field day at Hortanova Research Center, Lipa City, Batangas, for farmers and business partners.

Growing with our FARMERS

“40 Farmers, 40 Years of East-West Seed” is a compilation of real-life stories from farmers who have grown alongside us. Each story highlights the compelling challenges and successes experienced by individual farmers, their families, and communities.

The book emphasizes the transformative power of farming knowledge and education. It highlights the many farmers who began with limited knowledge and experience but improved their yields and income through training and technical support from East-West Seed.

Ko Kyaw Min Naing quit his career in furniture manufacturing in Yangon, Myanmar. As work options started to dwindle and his income ran out, Ko and his wife made the difficult decision that they and their baby daughter would have to head out of Myanmar to his wife’s home village near Yenangyaung, in the Magway region, nearly eight hours’ drive away.

Being able to get advice from EWS, he says, has also been key, especially for him as a first-time farmer. It helped him to better understand fertilizing schedules, ways to fight of pests and importantly, he says also that farming means learning with each harvest.

“So far I have been very happy to have had success with this because I didn’t plan that farming was going to be my

career, after leaving Yangon. I always thought that I would be working in furniture making, but now that things are going better I can see that farming can be a good way to build a new career and for me to take care of my wife and child and I hope that as my daughter grows up that I will be able to send her to premium schools,” he says.

The book also talks of the importance of our collaboration and partnerships. East-West Seed has worked closely with local governments, NGOs, and other organizations to improve seed systems and promote sustainable agriculture. These collaborations have enabled us to reach more farmers and make a more significant impact on local communities.

“40 Farmers, 40 Years of East-West Seed” is our powerful testament to the impact that sustained investment in smallholder agriculture can achieve. It serves as a reminder that farmers can overcome even the most challenging circumstances and build a better future for themselves and their families with the right knowledge, tools, and support.

“40 Farmers, 40 Years of East-West Seed”

Our Commitment to Women Farmers

Women farmers are integral to the agricultural workforce in many developing countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where we operate. However, these women farmers often need assistance gaining access to land, credit, and markets. East-West Seed recognizes the importance of women in agriculture and has implemented various programs to support them.

To commemorate East-West Seed’s 40th anniversary, we held a forum event, “Women Farmers Forward - Gender Equity in Vegetable Farming,” in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This event brought together passionate East-West Seed participants from around the world, including World Food Prize laureate and East-West Seed founder Simon Groot. The event featured personal stories and challenges faced by female smallholder farmers in the tropics, as well as insights from East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer’s recent study on women vegetable farmers in India, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Additionally, our work in knowledge transfer emphasizes on female lead farmers to improve their knowledge and forming market linkages to sell their products.

East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer provides training and mentorship to women farmers in all aspects of the seed business, from breeding and production to marketing and sales. These initiatives help women develop their skills and knowledge, assume leadership roles in household income, and become more self-sufficient.

Our initiatives to support women farmers are integral to our commitment of promoting sustainable agriculture and social responsibility. Since 2015, our Knowledge Transfer team has trained 631,334 farmers, with females comprising 64% of those taking part. East-West Seed looks forward to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system by further empowering women farmers.

631,334 farmers

*upated in December 2022

64% scan to read women farmers study

Expanding into New Markets: Nigeria and Brazil

In 2022, East-West Seed acquired Hortec Sementes, a Brazilian seed company. This acquisition marks an important step for East-West Seed as it expands its business and invests in the development of high-quality seeds for smallholder farmers in Brazil.

This acquisition enables East-West Seed to better reach smallholder farmers in Brazil and support the development of new and improved vegetable seed varieties tailored to the needs of Brazilian farmers and consumers. East-West Seed aims to enhance the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers, while also contributing to the growth of Brazil’s agricultural sector.

In Nigeria, East-West Seed worked closely with farmers to introduce new vegetable varieties that are better adapted to local climate and market demands. These varieties include popular vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and okra, as well as lesser-known crops such as African eggplant and pumpkin leaves. The introduction of these new varieties has led to increased yields, improved crop quality, and boosted incomes for smallholder farmers in the African country.

Over the years, East-West Seed has organized trainings and capacity-building activities for farmers in Nigeria. EWS arranged workshops and training programs to educate farmers on best practices in seed production, crop management, and postharvest handling. These programs have enabled farmers to enhance their skills and knowledge, and adopt more sustainable and profitable farming practices.

In 2022, East-West Seed established a company in Nigeria with plans to grow its market presence in West Africa. This expansion into new markets such as Brazil and Nigeria demonstrates East-West Seed’s commitment to investing in smallholder agriculture in emerging markets and strengthening our position as a leading global provider of tropical vegetable seeds.

Growing INNOVATION

New Products in 2022

Through extensive research and development efforts, East-West Seed has introduced and relaunched many products in the fruits and vegetable seed market, helping to improve crop quality and increase yields while strengthening resistance to diseases and pests. As a result, productivity and profitability for smallholder farmers worldwide have risen, providing consumers with better access to high-quality and nutritious fruits and vegetables.

In 2022, East-West Seed developed many innovative varieties. Among those, our watermelon varieties in Asia and tomato varieties in Latin America were highlights, and are certainly ones to continue watching to 2023.

From August to October 2022, three watermelon varieties with very attractive flesh color were introduced to farmers in India. These new hybrid watermelon varieties are a perfect example of breeding for market needs. The watermelon varieties have deep yellow or orange flesh, and with excellent eating quality. Yellow Munch hybrid watermelon is sweeter and less watery than traditional varieties, offering higher levels of nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, and lycopene. The new watermelon varieties provide good yield and high income for farmers, while consumers will love its attractive color, unique honey aroma and delicious taste. These yellow and orange watermelon hybrid varieties are also available in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In Latin America, Tomato Macizo F1 and Victory F1 seeds were introduced in 2022. Macizo F1, launched in Guatemala and El Salvador, boasts high tolerances to Ralstonia, Fusarium Race 3, and Nematodes. As a result, it offers high vigor, yield, and extremely firm fruits with an excellent shelf life, a vibrant color, and a uniform fruit size of 120-130g for the entire plant. Given its high tolerance to soil diseases, Macizo is a dual-purpose hybrid suitable for both rootstock and direct plantation, and has performed well in the market thus far. East-West Seed Latin America has developed a highly active campaign for farmers, particularly in Guatemala, with more than 50 trials and 15 field days. Commercial seeds will follow in 2023 after these promotions conclude, with the mission of overtaking the current market leader.

Meanwhile, Victory F1 seeds are being promoted in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia. Victory F1 is a determinate Roma hybrid with compact plants, good foliar coverage, and an excellent, concentrated yield (high fruit setting capacity at once). This tomato variety gives firm fruits averaging 150g in weight, exceptional shelf life and transportability, as well as a high tolerance to Fusarium race 3 (Fol-2) and to virus diseases transmitted by whitefly (TYLCV) and Trips (TSWV).

Macizo F1

Yellow Munch F1

Victory F1

Orange Munch F1

Empowering Agricultural Communities through Social Media

East-West Seed has been instrumental in creating online communities for farmers worldwide. These digital channels are important for several reasons, as they empower farmers by providing better access to information. They offer a wealth of knowledge that can help farmers learn about new technologies, techniques, and best practices from fellow farmers, agricultural experts, and industry leaders. This information helps farmers to increase their income, reduce production costs, and improve crop quality.

These online communities also offer valuable networking opportunities for farmers by enabling them to connect, share experiences, and build relationships. Networking also helps farmers find new markets, suppliers, and customers, as well as collaborate on projects, share resources, and support each other.

In some countries, we have observed that online communities are used for marketing purposes. These platforms can be a powerful marketing tool for farmers, helping them showcase their products and services in the community, attract new customers, and build their brand. Farmers can also receive customer feedback and use it to enhance their offerings and services.

Furthermore, online communities can serve as a powerful advocacy tool for farmers. By working together, farmers can amplify their voices and advocate for policies that support their interests. The platforms can also be used to raise awareness about the significance of agriculture and the challenges faced by farmers.

Facebook group is a platform where the growth can grow exponentially by peers and connections with the same interest; our group in Thailand has shown a high demand in home gardening with knowledge sharing and connecting the value chain together since we established the group.

EWS SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE IN 2022

194 K visitors

TOP 3 COUNTRIES

Growing with our PASSIONATE TEAMS

New Leadership Team at EWS in 2022

Ratiporn Ratcharoen Chief Finance Officer

Ratiporn brings with her over 30 years of experience in various finance roles and business settings in multinational organizations, locally and regionally, such as Diageo, PepsiCo, Minor International, Jebsen and Jessen, where she held senior leadership roles in Finance in manufacturing, distribution, and commercial businesses.

She is a certified public accountant and holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Management from Thammasart University and Sasin Graduate Institute, Chulalongkorn University.

As a member of the Managing Board, Ratiporn directly reports to the CEO, she leads the development and execution of strategies and policies to achieve the financial objectives of the company. She has key responsibilities in supporting functions leaders in delivering plans and budgets and ensuring the capital investment decisions are aligned with business strategy and yield the expected returns in line with the company’s objectives.

Francisco Sallit General Manager, Brazil

Hello, my name is Francisco Sallit and I have been with EWS for about one year. My background and experience includes an undergraduate degree in Agronomic Engineering, MaSE - Academy - Marketing & Sales Excellence, and an Executive MBA.

I’ve worked 41 years as an agronomist and 34 years in the Vegetable Seeds Business. I have been married to my wife Selma for 39 years, and we have two adult children: Mathias, a 27-year-old journalist, and Lorena, a 23-year-old psychologist.

In my free time, I like swimming because it provides me a chance to reconnect with myself and get closer to my spirituality, giving me energy to keep moving forward.

What is something great about your current position and why?

EWS has given me the opportunity to reconnect with the vegetable seeds sector. They believe in my professional journey and recognize the value of an experienced professional in contributing to a new project in Brazil. I am now eager to give back by opening the doors to the vegetable market in Brazil.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

In Brazil, we’re committed to robust yet sustainable growth of the business in the coming years. To achieve this growth in 2023 and over the next five years, we must ensure that the entire Brazilian team, across all areas, is an active agent in this project, demonstrating commitment and engagement towards a single goal and purpose. To this end, we need to prepare everyone by developing their skills, empowering and transforming them, while also providing the necessary tools, systems, and processes to be intensive in our work and in our deliveries. In this way, we’ll achieve our greatest purpose, which is to add value and develop small-scale producers.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

We aim to improve our service to smallholder farmers in 2023 through geographical expansion, particularly in the Northeast of Brazil. This region has a large concentration of small vegetable farmers who are not yet being fully served by tropical genetics and especially by simple yet effective farming techniques and crop management that could significantly increase their yield and improve the profitability of their businesses, leading to their socio-economic ascension.

We also plan on forming alliances with government sectors in agriculture that operate in areas of rural extension and transfer technology to small farmers, family farms, and rural communities. This would also be a great project to have the support of the EWS Foundation.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

For the young talents entering into the vegetable sector, I would share the following message:

• Develop a deep understanding of, and identify with, the EWS Mission and Purpose and embrace them with enthusiasm.

• Work as an engaged and collaborative team, confident that we are all directed towards a single purpose.

• Stay present in the field and attentive to understanding the real demands of farmers, helping them in managing activities and transfer our seeds along with integrated knowledge of the production systems of the main crops that are part of their business.

• It is also important to remain open to new learnings from farmers. Their practical and holistic knowledge is rich and should be incorporated into the skill set of the new generation of talent.

What is something great about your current position and why?

While I have held similar positions in previous organizations, my role at EWS stands out as unique. I am responsible for executing and advancing a great vision. We began our operations in Bangladesh just a few years ago, so there’s a good deal of work to be done. This work presents unique challenges, allowing me to utilize my past experiences and knowledge. The management board gives me sufficient autonomy and trust in my capabilities, and I am grateful to the EWS board for their confidence in me.

Mostafa Kamal Country Manager, Bangladesh

Hello, my name is Mostafa Kamal, and I am the Country Manager for East-West Seed Bangladesh, a position I’ve held for one year as of January 2023.

I’ve been in the seed industry for about 22 years. I started my humble career as a marketing officer, and gradually worked my way up to my current role. I am a firm believer that hard work and dedication are a path to success.

After completing my master’s in Agronomy, I enrolled in an MBA course in Marketing to help me better understand business strategies and management tools. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with several leading global companies in the agriculture industry.

I am married and blessed with 2 daughters, Salsabil and Kareema. My wife is a career-driven woman, and I am very proud of her.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

In 2022, we witnessed low rainfall, intense heat, droughts, climate change, higher input prices, and increased costs for feed and other necessities. We expect these challenges to continue into 2023, with additional pressure from the country’s forex reserves impacting the import business. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to growth in 2023 and beyond.

Our entire team is aligned with our PACE plan, working cohesively to expand our geographical reach, include more products in our portfolio, develop a robust channel network and agile team, and strengthen their capabilities and efficiency to achieve the yearon-year business plan. Our efforts will aid farmers when they gain access to EWS’s tropical genetics.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

We plan to expand geographically into the Southeastern and Western regions of Bangladesh, where smallholder farmers currently lack know-how and sufficient access to high-quality vegetable seeds, and are not yet familiar with good agronomic practices. By making EWS tropical genetics available, providing field-level information, and collaborating with government and non-government organizations, we aim to help these smallholder farmers improve crop yields, increase income, and maximize crop ROI.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

EWS focuses on tropical vegetable farmers and supporting smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods. This unique approach and company vision make EWS a purposeful driven company.

Agriculture is a diverse field, with a wealth of career opportunities.

We already have various new technologies, and I urge the younger generation to study and implement new ones. This will benefit them and the 50% of our population who depend on agriculture to improve farmers’ knowledge and skill for better cultivation. There is a tremendous need and opportunity for young talents. I would encourage young, talented people to pursue careers in agriculture to contribute to national food security and transform traditional agriculture into a more commercial, industrial sector.

Hello, my name is Jose Marie Lopez, but you can call me Jay. I’ve been with EWS for two years and five months, having joined East-West Seed Philippines on December 1, 2020, as the Head of Sales and then transitioning to Commercial Head. I was appointed as the General Manager in February 2022.

I have over 25 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceuticals, nutritional, and consumer health sectors within the Philippine and Indonesian markets. A decade of this experience has been in General Management with Pharmaceutical and Consumer Health MNCs. My skill set includes an extensive background in sales and marketing, operational management, and new business development, leveraging customer insights and product-market fit and underpinned by a solid understanding of distribution management and human capital.

My family consists of my wife, Tess Lopez, and our two daughters: Alyanna Lopez, who is the eldest, and Andrea Lopez, the youngest. I enjoy dining out with my family and playing golf on the weekends during my free time.

What is something great about your current position and why?

Something truly great about my current position is that I have the power to effect change. With this capability, I can help move the company forward and facilitate its growth. However, this requires intentionality, grit, and a firm commitment to become better every day.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

In the Philippines, the primary concerns are always the weather, access to financial support, and marketing their produce. We are currently considering incorporating meteorology into our farmer agri-education topics to better equip them to deal with climate change. As part of the East-West Seed Philippines PACE plan, we have launched the Market Linkage project, which connects farmers with supermarkets and consumers. This approach ensures that farmers plant the right crops at the right time to meet consumer demand, providing them with the utmost efficiency and better farm gate prices, with potential buyers already in place.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

Our plan is to reach more farmers and equip our EWS team with better technology and agri-economic skills to transfer to our smallholder farmers, thereby preparing the farmers for 2023 and beyond.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

Our mission says it all. Our founder, Simon Groot, is absolutely right: Having good seeds can transform the lives of millions of farmers. A 1,000 square meter plot of bitter gourd can yield the same income and capacity as a hectare of rice. Our purpose is to improve their quality of life while helping sustain agriculture in the country.

For the young talents, I say: dream big. Don’t wait for inspiration to come to you. And, at the same time, make a daily commitment to personal growth.

Jose Marie Lopez General Manager, Philippines

Hello, my name is Stephane Gilli, and I’ve been with EWS for seven months. I graduated from a Business School in France and have spent the last 20 years working in international business. Most of my experience has been in distributing technical products, such as machinery parts. Before joining EWS, I created a distribution network for agricultural tractor parts in Cambodia from 2019.

My family consists of my wife Julie, a tax lawyer, and our two boys, Anton, who is nine years old, and Swann, who is six. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and riding my bike in Cambodia. Naturally, as good French people we also enjoy eating good food, wine, and cheese.

What is something great about your current position and why?

The seed business is new to me, and I really enjoy learning about and discovering its specifics. As a Country Manager, I truly value the trust, support, and management freedom I am given.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

We have faced numerous challenges in Cambodia over the past two years. About 50% of our team joined less than two years ago, and our management team has been completely renewed in the past 18 months. So, we need to build and grow together. However, my biggest concern is climate change. It is a reality now; the dry and rainy seasons are different. This year, for instance, the rainy season could start later, and this would affect our sales. Therefore, we are accumulating data and experience to prepare for 2024 with crops that can be adapted to the dry climate of that period.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

1. On seed availability: Our current facilities are limited, meaning we need a larger warehouse to increase our stock to a minimum level.

2. Multiplying demo fields: Our Promotion Team integrated with the PD team in March, and in a few weeks, we will have 12 individuals capable of organizing Promo fields or Field days in Cambodia, up from the previous eight. Thanks to Joost, who suggested this team restructuring.

3. Faster arrival of new products: The integration of the PD team into the Promotion team has strengthened our relationship with PD in Thailand and Vietnam. The unique position of Cambodia, being right in the middle of these countries, allows us to utilize information from both countries to speed up the process and sometimes go directly to stage PLC7. As a result, farmers in Cambodia can access the best seeds at the same time as the other two countries.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

That’s a good question, especially as I am new to the company and this market. One of the reasons I joined the company in Cambodia was the need for agricultural advancement. When you join EWS, you are given the opportunity to work in an international family company, while also contributing to the growth of your country.

Stephane Gilli Country Manager, Cambodia

Hadiza Yaro

Country Manager, Nigeria

Hello, my name is Hadiza Yaro. I have been with EWS for more than eight years. As for my background and experience, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, a Master’s in Development Studies, and a Master’s in Agronomy.

I have spent 18 years working as an agronomist, and have been carrying the Vegetable Seeds Business for 14 years. I have been married for 18 years and have two adult children: Jerome, who is 17 years old, and Israel, who is 11 years old. In my free time, I like to study and travel to gain more knowledge.

I am also passionate about learning advancements in the field of Agriculture, especially in vegetable production.

What is something great about your current position and why?

When asked about the best aspect of my current position, I would highlight the responsibility that comes with it. The daily challenges compel me to be creative and innovative to meet my targets. One of my constant aims is to build a winning and passionate team. This is a significant task, as it requires me to balance building relationships with all colleagues and striking a balance with the reality of pushing hard to achieve set objectives without sentiments. I motivate EWNG employees by presenting PACE awards to deserving staff for maintaining the vision through sustainable goal achievement.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

My biggest concerns revolve around the high costs of agricultural inputs and the impacts of climate change. The EWNG team is prepared to face it because these challenges significantly affect agricultural activities. Unfortunately, both are outside the sphere of our control. However, on our part, we help give farmers early warning signs by educating them on measures they can take to mitigate these challenges.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

Our ultimate goal is to reach more smallholder farmers through geographical expansion and by establishing a presence in farming communities where we currently don’t operate. Being physically present is a significant part of our plan from 2023 onwards. We aim to offer these farmers EWS’s innovative products and services to improve their yields and income. Teaching smallholder farmers simple techniques can make a big difference in their farming business. Furthermore, better synergy with EWS-KT activities, along with proper alignment with seed availability in these communities, is the optimal strategy.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

EWS is a purpose-driven company underpinned by a strong culture. We are driven by a shared mission and vision. These aren’t just inscribed on documents; we put them into practice. This passion is exhibited daily in the field with smallholder farmers.

My key message to the new generation of young talents pursuing a career in Agriculture is this: Let passion drive your career and be prepared to make sacrifices for humanity to better serve smallholder farmers. Also, stay connected to the team’s vision and mission by contributing to success one step at a time, all geared toward the same mission statement.

the opportunity to work in an international family company, while also contributing to the growth of your country.

Hello, my name is Rober Estimih Kimonge. I’ve been with EWS for 1 Year and 8 months.

My background and experience are 12 years of commercial background in sales & marketing operations, leading teams, channel management, key accounts and general management.

I am married and have one child and in my free time, I’d like to listen to music, read books, swim, and spend time with family.

What is something great about your current position and why?

Leading a relatively young, dynamic team and getting the chance to inspire or set the right example on various issues makes them set high standards for themselves and the people they work with on a daily basis but also potentially be good future leaders.

What is your biggest concern about the agricultural challenge we most likely face in 2023? How do you and your team prepare for it and extend it to farmers?

- Climate Change and Political Turmoil.

- Externally, we are increasing our vigilance in gathering local market information and weather patterns proactively and routinely. We also remain as supportive as we can to impacted teams and partners.

- Internally, we are working with supply chain functions to improve our demand estimates and supply responsiveness to the markets while focusing on clarity of communications as well as setting the right expectations.

How do you plan to serve your smallholder farmers even better in 2023?

We attained good growth in key markets in 2022; therefore, to maintain it in 2023, the East Africa team and I are taking a lastmile approach, focusing even closer to the ground by improving access to our quality seeds down to the villages, ensuring our extension services benefit more smallholder farmers than last year.

What makes EWS such a purposeful driven company? What message would you like to give young talents in your country pursuing a career in Agriculture?

- Our commitment to living our mission of improving the lives of smallholder vegetable farmers. Others talk about smallholder farmers, but EWS implements this in our daily operations.

- To young talent in East Africa, if you want to be part of a growing multicultural company with a clear focus on Africa, an intent to grow its people and uphold its promise to its customers (in our case, smallholder farmers), then EWS is a great place to work. #agreatplacetowork

Rober Estimih Kimonge Regional Business Head, East Africa

Michel Devarrewaere, East-West Seed Vice President, honored at APSA Congress 2022

East-West Seed took part in the 27th annual Asian Seed Congress, co-organized by the Asia & Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) and the Thai Seed Trade Association (THASTA) and held at the Bangkok Convention Center from November 14 to 18. During the event, Michel Devarrewaere, EastWest Seed Vice President, was honored with the award for ‘Most Influential Seed Technologist’ in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more than 32 years, Michel Devarrewaere has dedicated his working life to improving seed quality in Asia through a combination of persistence, innovation and dedication. Beginning with a project for the Food and Agriculture Organization in 1990 and through to his current role as Vice President of Seed Operations at East-West Seed in Thailand, Michel has overseen numerous projects putting innovation and technology at the forefront for the betterment of farmers and consumers in Asia.

Vegetable Seed Company”

East-West Seed India named the “Best

East-West Seed India has been recently named the “Best Vegetable Seed Company” at the ABSA Agri Awards 2022 held in Hyderabad, India. The Award was received from the Honorable Minister for Agriculture & Cooperation of the Government of Telangana, Singireddy Niranjan Reddy.

The Agri Awards is an annual event that “honors the achievements and shares the success stories of organizations, enterprises, institutions, and individuals that are actively involved in boosting economic growth and achieving milestones” in the agriculture sector.

Growing Healthier & SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

East-West Seed Indonesia Earns Sustainable Business Award for Pioneering Green Agriculture Initiatives

East-West Seed Indonesia recently received the Sustainable Business Award in recognition of their robust and effective sustainability initiatives for Indonesian agriculture. This prestigious award was presented by SBA Indonesia and Global Initiative during a virtual ceremony, with East-West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) Managing Director Glenn Pardede accepting the honor in the presence of the Indonesian Minister of National Development Planning.

EWINDO’s innovative strategies include offering fertilizer recommendations to their partner farmers, which helps reduce costs amid rising fertilizer prices. Additionally, the company has incorporated solar panels to power their machinery, embracing the Green Industry movement. In the realm of education, EWINDO has established numerous partnerships with educational institutions across Indonesia, providing valuable internship opportunities for students. This initiative aims to spark interest among the younger generation in the agriculture sector, showcasing its potential as a rewarding career path.

By dedicating itself to these impactful programs, EWINDO has demonstrated a firm belief in the power of sustainable business practices to create lasting, positive change in society and contribute to a healthier environment.

EWS Philippines Helps to Create a Green Oasis Amid a Concrete Jungle

When the Covid pandemic hit, silver jewelry entrepreneur Louie Gutierrez found unexpected success in urban farming.

Visitors to Bonifacio Global City business district in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, might be surprised to discover the “BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers”, a 1,500-squaremeter vegetable farm hidden among the bustling streets filled with cafes and restaurants.

This innovative urban farming initiative was launched by Gutierrez along with the help of volunteers, property support from Ayala Corporation, and the expertise of East-West Seed in setting up the farm.

The farm cultivates a range of greens such as lettuce, arugula, and pechay, with plans to add tomatoes, eggplants, basil, and mint in the near future. For a small donation, individuals can learn about vegetable farming and harvest their own bag of fresh greens during the weekends. The BGC Community Farm also welcomes companies seeking to engage in CSR projects.

The BGC Community Farm is just one of three urban farms established by Louie’s social enterprise in the Philippines since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. He also operates Urban Farmers of Bel-Air in Makati City and the NLEX-SCTEX Community Farm by Urban Farmers in Caloocan City.

Indonesia

Philippines

EWS India Champions Sustainability with Plantable Seed Rakhis for Raksha Bandhan

East-West Seed India promotes sustainability with their innovative Beej Bandhan Hamper, featuring plantable seed rakhis.

To raise awareness about the importance of a sustainable future, East-West Seed India has introduced a creative concept for celebrating the traditional Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan. The unique campaign, called “Beej Bandhan,” promotes its new crop variety of butternut seeds.

The campaign centers on donating a hamper that features eco-friendly paper rakhis, a symbolic talisman, that is paired with butternut seeds. During Raksha Bandhan, women tie rakhis around their brothers’ wrists as a gesture of protection, receiving a gift in return and entrusting the brothers with the responsibility of caring for them. Traditional rakhis are made of silk, gold and silver threads, sequins, and semi-precious stones. Rakhis often cannot be recycled, resulting in waste.

Once the festivities conclude, the rakhis donated by EW Seed can be planted instead of being discarded in the rubbish bin. The rakhis can therefore be transformed a sweet and flavorful butternut crop. Easy to cultivate and suitable for limited spaces, butternuts can be grown both in gardens or pots.

EWS-KT Expands Agricultural Program to Empower Ghanaian Farmers

East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation has launched its agricultural program in Ghana, aiming to provide smallholder farmers with improved techniques and technologies that will increase their yields and incomes. EWS-KT’s commitment to enhancing the vegetable value chain will also benefit local consumers by increasing the supply of locally grown, safe-toeat vegetables and is aligned with the foundation’s strategic goal of training 1 million smallholder farmers by 2025.

The foundation will establish a learning site in the Ghanaian regions of Bono East, Bono, and Ahafo, that will serve as a training center for staff, sector professionals, and farmers. Training for farmers will begin in March 2023, with the objective of educating 2,500 farmers by year’s end.

EWS-KT’s efforts in Ghana will be led by Zakari Musah, an experienced agronomist with a deep understanding of the vegetable sector. Through demonstration plots, field days, infield training, and digital outreach, EWS-KT will share profitable and sustainable approaches for cultivating vegetables and showcase evidence-based, improved production techniques, thereby enabling Ghanaian farmers to achieve higher yields, improved produce quality, and increased income.

India

Ghana