Celebrating the women behind our innovative products

Karina van Leeuwen, East-West Seed Crop Breeding Manager

As a woman in the field of innovative agriculture, how are you contributing to making the world better through the products that you develop?

We keep the farmer in mind when we design our breeding programs.

We constantly ask ourselves: “How can we help the farmers to get abetter income?”

Once, I spoke to a local farmer during a trip with my team, he shared with us how our seeds have changed his life.

He showed me his new tricycle which he bought from his last tomato harvest.

He was so happy and proud that he now could bring his kids to school and could deliver his produce to the market himself.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A WOMAN CROP BREEDING MANAGER (CBM)?

The fact is, I don't see myself as a'woman CBM', I see myself as a CBM.

I grew up with two older brothers and both of my parents never acted differently towards their sons and their daughter.

The way we were treated was the equal for all three of us, including the house rules (such as dishes, laundry and cooking) and the encouragement to study further.

With this upbringing it was possible to follow my dreams, study what I enjoy and search for work that makes me happy.

Honestly, I work hard and always aim to make beautiful products - but I am never conscious of being a woman in my career.

Follow your dreams, study what you enjoy and search for work that makes you happy.