24 October 2024
 

As East-West Seed founder Simon Groot celebrates his 90th birthday today, it provides an opportunity to honor his lasting impact and reflect on the future. Under his leadership, what began as a small initiative in 1982 on a five-hectare farm outside Lipa City, Batangas, has transformed into a global leader in vegetable breeding. Today, East-West Seed proudly serves millions of farmers across 80 tropical countries, improving vegetable seed quality, helping farmers grow better crops, and enabling them to earn better incomes.

This day also celebrates the entire East-West Seed community- our employees, partners, and the farmers and distributors who have carried Simon’s mission forward. Together, we continue taking steps towards a more sustainable (and food-secure) future. Simon Groot’s vision has become a reality, thanks to the hard work and dedication of thousands of people who continue to commit their time and energy into the mission.

In the video below, Simon Groot shares his thoughts on the power of people. 

''It takes all kinds of people to make a world'' - Simon Groot, founder of East-West Seed and former World Food Prize winner

Equally, as we celebrate Simon Groot’s birthday, we also look to the challenges that lie ahead. It is certain that the world has changed dramatically since the early days of East-West Seed. Global agriculture is entering a new phase where sustainability, climate resilience, and resource efficiency will be key. Today, farmers face new and growing challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns and the pressure to produce more food with fewer resources. These challenges are especially acute in tropical regions like Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where millions of smallholder farmers depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Nevertheless, Simon has always been ahead of the curve in addressing these issues, and it is our collective responsibility as employees of East-West Seed to continue driving that spirit of innovation forward. We are already working on climate-resilient seeds, and empowering farmers by providing trainings to 150,000 farmers annually through East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation to ensure that future generations can thrive.

At the same time, the quote "it takes all kinds of people to make a world," speaks to the heart of our work at East-West Seed and the power of people as well as the importance of unity across cultural differences, building on our core values, ‘purposeful’, ‘pioneering’, ‘nurturing’ and ‘trustworthy’. The idea that to truly succeed, we must be proactive in bridging these differences, bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences. Simon Groot often talks about "operating like a sociologist," understanding and embracing the social dynamics that come with working in a global landscape. At East-West Seed, he states in the video, we seek globally-minded individuals who are not only ready to roll up their sleeves, but also ready to serve the farmers, working alongside them with dedication and respect. This spirit of collaboration, across cultures and boundaries, is what enables us to keep creating the best seeds that can feed the world.

And today, as we celebrate Simon's 90th birthday, we are reminded of the vision and values that continue to inspire us all.

Website: https://www.eastwestseed.com/

Published: October 25, 2024