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.

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.

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

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.