Asia’s leading vegetable seed
company East-West Seed kicks off its celebration of 30 years of
empowering Filipino farmers by hosting a special vegetarian lunch created by “Green
Chef” Sau del Rosario, an advocate of supporting local farmers’ produce at One Rockwell last September 20.
East-West Seed is the leader in tropical vegetable
varieties with higher yields, better tolerance to disease and pests, longer
shelf life, extended growing seasons and better eating quality. These qualities
have made vegetable farming a sustainable, high-value enterprise for thousands
of Filipino farmers.
Marking its three-decade
milestone, East-West Seed announced its nationwide search for 30
farmer-heroes who have achieved success, shown innovativeness in adopting
improved technologies, contributed significantly to their community’s
development, and improved consumer welfare with the help of East-West Seed varieties.
“We couldn’t think of a
better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to recognize the hard work
and extremely valuable – but often
underappreciated – contribution of our local ‘farmer-heroes’ to their bigger communities,”
said Mary Ann Sayoc, East-West Seed Philippines General Manager. “For the past 30 years, East-West Seed
Philippines has collaborated with local vegetable growers, and we have always
been inspired by their ingenuity and innovativeness. Farmers face a different challenge
now: they must feed more people with the same amount of land. We realize the
critical role that farmers play in food security and nutrition, and we do our
part by producing vegetable seed varieties that thrive in varying conditions
and challenges.”
East-West Seed’s search for
30 farmer-heroes will span 15 regions nationwide with 30 nominees per region. The nominees will be evaluated on their unique
success story as a vegetable farmer; their positive influence in their farming
communities such as promoting the growth of vegetable farming, creating jobs
and uplifting the livelihood of others; and their exemplary adaptation of
improved technologies for vegetable production.
"A good seed can change
the lives of millions," added Sayoc. “We believe that a good seed is the starting
point of a long chain of value creation: by using high quality, high performing
seeds, farmers harvest better yields and earn more from their land and labor. This also means tastier, more attractive and
nutritious vegetables for consumers and households.”
Alongside agricultural
sustainability and farmer productivity, the company also promotes nutrition
through greater vegetable consumption. East-West Seed gives training and
provides hybrid seeds to public elementary schools and typhoon-affected areas
for the establishment of school vegetable gardens. These school gardens are
managed by the school children, teachers and parents.
“We advocate healthy eating in
schools because this means better learning and greater productivity in the community.
Every Filipino can support this advocacy too,” said Sayoc. “Lastly, choose locally-grown vegetables.
That’s the best way we can show appreciation and tip our hat to Filipino farmers."
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