At East West Seed, our mission of “Growing Better Lives” drives us to every corner where farming communities strive to thrive. Recently, our dedicated teams embarked on a heartwarming and impactful 3-day journey through the highlands of Northern Thailand for our annual “Sorn Daeng Aew Doi” (Sorn Daeng Visits the Highlands) educational campaign.
From May 13–15, we traveled across Omkoi and Bo Sali in Chiang Mai, reaching all the way to Mae Sariang in Mae Hong Son. We had the incredible privilege of connecting with over 540 passionate local farmers, sharing practical agronomic expertise and sustainable production techniques.
Bringing the Classroom directly to the Fields
To ensure every farmer could easily gain actionable skills, we designed interactive, hands-on learning booths tailored entirely to the predominant crops of each unique highland ecosystem—ranging from tomatoes and sweet corn to pumpkins:
Product Development & Management: Our experts shared advanced cultivation techniques, optimizing plant spacing, tailored fertilization schedules, and crop management practices to unlock maximum yields.
Plant Pathology & Protection: We equipped farmers with essential skills to detect plant diseases early and prepare for seasonal risks, heavily promoting safe, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
Seed Quality & Trust: We pulled back the curtain on our rigorous quality assurance and inspection processes, giving farmers absolute confidence in every Sorn Daeng seed they sow.
Innovation & Localized Varieties: We introduced high-performing, disease- and virus-resistant varieties perfect for highland climates—such as the resilient ‘Sigma’ tomato and the robust ‘Khaotok Hi-Plus’ pumpkin, which are specifically bred to withstand local environmental challenges.
Overcoming Challenges, Growing Together
Even when unexpected heavy rain hit our event in Mae Sariang, the community’s vibrant spirit never dampened! Farmers actively engaged with our agronomists, asking insightful questions and sharing their real on-the-ground experiences.
The feedback from this trip was deeply moving. Many farmers expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting how rare it is for agricultural companies to travel deep into these remote highland areas. They walked away feeling empowered—recognizing that selecting the right virus-resistant varieties not only secures their harvest but also significantly reduces chemical dependency and lowers production costs.
Moving Forward Side-by-Side
This 3-day campaign is just the beginning. Moving forward, East West Seed will continue to follow up closely in these areas, ensuring today’s knowledge translates into tomorrow’s bountiful, sustainable harvests and secure community livelihoods.
A huge thank you to all the amazing highland farmers for welcoming us into your communities with such warm smiles! See you at our next destination!
