The Philippine Embassy congratulates the East-West Seed on the successful conduct of the conference “Women Farmers Forward – Gender Equity in Vegetable Farming” and the launch of their book “40 Farmers: 40 Years of East-West Seed” in commemoration of their 40th Founding Anniversary. The event marking the momentous occasion was held at the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam on 25 October.
On behalf of Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Consul General Lolita B. Capco delivered remarks during the Conference’s plenary session and conveyed the Embassy’s profound admiration and appreciation to East-West Seed (EWS) and its founder Mr. Simon Groot for their valuable contributions to the Philippine agriculture sector. She underscored the organization’s programs in bringing Dutch knowledge and technology to develop high-quality seeds and better agronomic practices, which improved the productivity and incomes of Filipino farmers.
Mary Ann Sayoc, EWS Global Lead Public Affairs and President of Philippine Seed Industry Association, presented the results of the study entitled “Women Farmers in Vegetable Production,” based on a series of focused group discussions, surveys and interviews conducted among 300 selected women farmers from India, Tanzania, Uganda and the Philippines. The study highlighted the different dynamics brought by women farmers on agricultural productivity.
The success story of Daisy Duran, a former fishball vendor and now a highly- successful commercial vegetable farmer, was featured during the Conference. She benefited from the EWS Knowledge Transfer and later on established Duran Farms Agricultural Learning Center to share with other Filipino farmers her experience and expertise. She also founded the Bulacan Farmers Agriculture Cooperation and was cited as among the most inspiring women entrepreneurs by the Office of the President of the Philippines.
The Conference was opened by EWS key officials, namely Ms. Maaike Groot (EWS Global Head of Communications and Public Affairs), Mr. Stuart Morris (EWS Knowledge Transfer Director) and Ms. Maria van der Heijden (CSR The Netherlands Director). Resource speakers from the agriculture industry in Nigeria, India and Tanzania spoke about the important role and involvement of women farmers in the operations of the EWS.
Consul General Capco was accompanied by Consuls Nomer B. Ado II and Marianne Bringas and Atty. Florisa Almodiel-Luteijn.
In February 2022, Mr. Simon Groot, EWS Honorary Chairman and Founder, and Ms. Maaike Groot, EWS Public Affairs and Communications, called on Ambassador Malaya to brief him on EWS programs. Through Mr. Groot’s innovative leadership, EWS had its first research and breeding program in the Philippines in 1982 with partnership with Filipino seed trader Benito M. Domingo and with the support of Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam. It started in a 5-hectare farm in Lipa, Batangas where they produce high-yielding varieties of local crops which are resistant to diseases.
The East-West Seed expanded from Southeast Asia to India, China, Africa and South America and no has over 3,500 employees worldwide and with global headquarters in Enkhuizen (The Netherlands) and Bangkok. It has 10 seed processing facilities in seven countries and 18 research and development (R&D) centers in six countries, including three in the Philippines. The R&D centers in the Philippines are in Bukidnon, San Juan (Batangas) and Lipa (also in Batangas), where its first ever experimental farm, the Hortanova farm, is located.
For more information on the services of the East-West Seed, please visit www.eastwestseed.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. // END
