Enhancing global food and nutritional security
We develop vegetable varieties that are suited to local growing conditions. Vegetables are important part of a healthy diet and provide a source of many nutrients. Food security is heavily dependent on the seed security of the farming community.
Smallholder farmers are the backbone of most agricultural economies in Asia and Africa. They produce 85% of the world’s food and yet they remain poor and malnourished. EWS core value is serving the farmers and increasing their income and profitability by making available high quality seeds at affordable prices.
As a market leader in vegetable seeds we want to participate in policy discussions revolving around seeds, smallholder farmers and global food and nutritional security. We collaborate with a variety of similar-minded organizations as a strategy in achieving our mission and objectives.
Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) are the foundation of plant breeding. Conservation and sustainable use of PGR would ensure biodiversity and enable breeders and researchers to make use of them in developing new vegetable varieties that are climate-resilient.
We introduced market-oriented plant breeding in Southeast Asia in 1982. We breed where the market is. We develop vegetable varieties that are suited to the local growing conditions and which the local market demand.
We recognize the important role of the informal seed system in making seeds available and accessible to smallholder farmers especially in remote areas where outlets/agro-dealers are not present. The informal seed system offers wider crop choice. However, we also recognize that a sustainable seed system calls for an integration of both the formal and informal seed systems. They are interdependent and have multiple links between each other.
Women farmers
Currently the involvement of women in the company’s extension services is approximately 30%. More recently the company is increasingly putting gender targets into specific projects, not just in participation but also targeting women as key farmers and lead influencers.
Nutrition
East-West Seed advocates that vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet and the most affordable source of micronutrients needed to address “hidden hunger” or micronutrient deficiency prevalent among children and vulnerable members of the community.
Climate change
East-West Seed recognizes the impact of climate change to agriculture and food security, resulting in lower crop productivity, higher pest and disease pressure, stunted growth, delay in harvest – and ultimately, low farmer income.
