Rotterdam, the Netherlands (June 24, 2024) - Once a year, the global seed sector comes together to network, share, connect, and exchange ideas.

Taking place May 27-29 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, this year's World Seed Congress celebrated its centennial, reconvening 1,800 seed-sector professionals from 76 countries. Hosted by the International Seed Federation (ISF) and Dutch seed association Plantum, this year’s congress themed ‘Navigating Into The Next Century’ invited all delegates to consider discussions including on innovation and sustainability and above all, the important role of vegetable breeding in the century ahead.

From a sustainability standpoint, the role of the seed sector in the COP28 Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action was discussed and can be viewed here. A special Youth delegation was also present during the Congress, playing an active role during the three days, including in the opening ceremony.

East-West Seed participated in four panel discussions and presented the East-West Seed mission and vision to 22 international and Dutch journalists during a press tour titled 'The Power of Seeds in Food Security,' which East-West Seed co-organized. The tour offered an exclusive look behind the scene. Participants explored Syngenta's high-tech tomato greenhouses, Rijk Zwaan's innovative lettuce greenhouses, and learned about East-West Seed and Knowledge Transfer Foundation's dedication to quality seeds and sustainable agricultural practices. Presentations by Maaike Groot and Knowledge Transfer Director Stuart Morris showcased profitable and sustainable farm practices by providing long-term technical support directly in farming communities, EWS-KT’s work acts as a precursor to commercial activities in less developed or emerging markets.

In addition, while the Congress focused on the next Century ahead, the opportunity was also taken to look back. A huge congratulations to Mary Ann Sayoc, Head of Partnerships & Alliances, who was bestowed honorary lifetime membership of the International Seed Federation for all her efforts in helping the seed sector move forward. Sayoc, who has been working at East-West Seed for more than 23 years, is the first woman ever to receive this honor in the global seed sector. 

Significantly, in her role as President of the Seeds Innovation and Protection Initiative (SIPI), Sayoc also took part in the signing of an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fight illegal seed practices. During a media interview she added: "We are clear that together we can work harder and better, and reach more people with our messages, which support the fight against illegal seed practices and ensure that the work we do every day is valued. We cannot forget that the seed is the first link in the value chain." 

Following the signing of this important MoU, Sayoc, together with JC Filippi, Ard Groot and Maaike Groot, had the honor of meeting His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, where they had the opportunity to talk about the mission and vision of East-West Seed. During this introduction meeting, Mary Ann Sayoc talked about the importance of developing quality seeds tailored for tropical climates, and our responsibility in working closely in collaboration with farmers in Asia, Africa and Latin America as a trusted friend.

Earlier that morning, His Majesty had underlined the importance of the global seed sector in ensuring food security in his speech: “Your sector is – as it were – sowing the seeds for a sustainable future.”

Furthermore, during a media interview, Dr. May Chodchoey, Group Head of Public Affairs at East-West Seed spoke about the importance of certified vegetable seeds in ensuring high germination rates, purity, and reliability, which are essential for both local consumption and export markets. 

Chodchoey also participated in a panel discussion on Channel World Seed titled “Sowing Social Responsibility: The Seed Sector’s Impact on Rural Communities.” During the panel, she emphasized the need for alliances and cooperation among seed companies to combat child labor, advocating for better and more affordable education as a key solution.

To add, Douwe Zijp, former CEO and current Supervisory Board member of East-West Seed, shared his personal insights and the inspiring story of our company’s founder and World Food Prize winner Simon Groot with the Future Generation group.

Last but not least, Maaike Groot, Global Head of Communications and Public Affairs at East-West Seed, Supervisory Member, and daughter of East-West Seed Founder Simon Groot, discussed the critical role of women in agriculture during an interview with Krishi Jagran, an India-based media outlet. Maaike Groot emphasized East-West Seed’s dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women in agricultural roles, which is crucial for strengthening agro-food systems, especially in regions where women play a key role in food production. 

This was further highlighted during the women’s luncheon, where Public Relations Specialist Maya Muller participated in a panel discussion on the importance of diversity in the seed sector.

Looking ahead, and as highlighted by our active participation in the Congress, we continue to be committed to supporting millions of farmers through innovation, quality assurance, and sustainable practices.

For more information on our work and to receive updates, please visit our website https://www.eastwestseed.com and that of Knowledge Transfer Foundation: www.ews-kt.com