Sprouts (Oct 2012)

October 2012

Sprouts A newsletter for employees of East-West Seed Group

PMCs hat it takes to W

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Message from the BOM

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012 is proving to be a challenging year for us, as many of you already know.

Our sales growth is lower than projected because of various factors, and as a response we have thoughtfully made efforts to lower our operating cost to deal with the adverse situation.

The good news is that we are strong and stable enough to deal with this challenge, and can bring up the cooperation and discipline as a

team to get our new goals, which now include lowering costs. Of course we never stop pushing sales and maximizing opportunities where we can. Good news is also that our outposts such as Myanmar and Latin America show an increasing growth pattern.

We are confident that we will overcome today’s challenges and pick up the high growth path soon. Meanwhile, we should forge ahead with the strategies we have put in place earlier this year. The many high caliber new staff we have hired over the past few months shows that we relentlessly continue to pursue our long term goals.

In this issue of Sprouts, we are featuring the PMC concept and some updates of the work of our four PMC Managers. They have been going around in the past few months, actively getting to know their PMCs, visiting fields and markets, gathering market information, meeting key staff involved in PMCs and coordinating strategies and PMC directions.

Sprouts EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Francine Sayoc EDITORIAL ADVISOR Simon Jan de Hoop MANAGING EDITOR Karina Van Leeuwen NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR Tabeth Velasco PAGE EDITORS Katchie Panergayo Tian Jinlan James Karuhakosol Cherry Relevante Sushil Kumar Prem Mehta Ruby Samonte LAYOUT & DESIGN Christian Talavera

Joost Pekelharing President

Bert van der Feltz Senior Vice President

Simon Jan de Hoop Vice President for R&D

From the very start we understood that for the PMC concept to succeed, it would take plenty of coordination, cooperation, knowledgesharing, and collaboration from within the organization. We want to highlight this again.

We encourage the various teams to lend their expertise, knowledge and time to make PMC work. In time we will realize that our efforts have paid off and we will all reap the fruits of cooperation.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Calling all writers! As Sprouts becomes the general company newsletter, we welcome articles from all departments - not just R&D. If you want to contribute stories from Sales and Marketing, SOM, QA, Technology Transfer, HR, etc., please email francine.sayoc@eastwestseed.com

s? h S r U o t y p W

Sprout(ing) - noun, the practice of soaking, draining, and then rinsing seeds at regular intervals until they germinate, or sprout. Much like seeds, we are growing, maturing, learning and enjoying the work we do. Something beautiful emerges from our daily efforts... and then it just SPROUTS!

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ARD GROOT takes a closer look at the PHILIPPINE VEGETABLE MARKET dealers, traders and farmers at Cagayan de Oro City.

Eric, Granduer, Ard, Prasert and Sanong looking at fruits of Red hot being dried on the side of the road, a common practice in Pangasinan, Philippines.

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ast July, the Vice Chairman of the East West Seed (EWS) Group, Mr. Ard Groot, visited the Philippines for the second time to learn more about the vegetable market and the rudiments of marketing our products. A three-week program was prepared for him by the PDS & S&M team. He went around Nueva Ecija to visit dealers and onion farmers. Then he proceeded to Leyte to see the Technology Transfer Department (TTD) project. Ard then attended the Corn Crop Circle meeting at Hortanova Research Center (HRC). After the corn meeting at HRC, he travelled to Benguet the following day to visit dealers, farmers and the different growing areas in the highlands. He also went to Mindanao to attend the Vegetable Congress at Butuan City. While in Mindanao, he visited the R&D satellite farm at Bukidnon and the Suprema

Visiting a corn stall which sells our Sweet Pearl and Klasika varieties. Apart from being a retailer, the stall owner is also a farmer and PDS farmer cooperator for trials of Sweet Violet and Rainy White.

Ard with Mr. and Mrs Lino Kitongan holding their newly harvested Kila

PDS and S&M were tasked to accompany Ard on his trip to Benguet and Mt. Province.

Joining the trip to the highlands were Sanong Maneewan (PMC Manager for Corn & Brassica), Prasert Yodluad (PMC Specialist), Gerardo Domingo (S&M Manager), Dennis Suacillo (PDS Specialist), Meynard Tosay (PDS Assistant) and Eric Hojilla (PDS Manager).

The first field visited was a trial of Kila (cabbage) at Atok, Benguet (2,100 meters above sea level). The trial showed that Kila has better club root resistance as compared to the existing competitor varieties. Then the group proceeded to the Chun Hong (carrot) field which is less than a kilometer away from the cabbage trial. Both fields are owned

by Mr. Frank Balao who is a major grower of both crops in the area.

The group then proceeded to another Kila field at Cada, Mankayan (2,400 meters above sea level). The commercial Kila field owned

by Mr. Johny Pating was very impressive with plants having uniform growth with no incidence of pest and diseases. This was the best field visited by the group in the highlands. Kila which is only on its 2nd year in the market is really showing a lot of potential.

The group went to visit Mr.Lino Kitongan at Bauko, Mt. Province. During the visit, Mr. Kitongan was harvesting Kila from the 50 cans x 100 grams that he planted.

Mr, Kitongan and his wife were very accommodating and were very pleased that none other than the Vice Chairman of EWS has visited them. They were very enthusiastic in telling everybody their good

by Eric Hojilla

experiences in growing Kila, proving that Kila is one of the promising varieties for the highlands. They said that they will continue to use Kila and are even willing to try new varieties from EWS. The trip ended with a visit at the La Trinidad Trading Post. This is considered as the major trading center for the vegetables planted in Benguet and Mt. Province.

Ard said that he has learned a great deal about the Philippine Vegetable market and the operations of the different departments at EWPH as a whole.

At the eggplant trials in Asingan, Pangasinan for the new long purple eggplant variety which has an improved fruit quality compared to Casino and Morena. This variety is expected to be introduced in the market next year.

Visiting the trading post at Villasis, Pangasinan.

Most vegetables are EWS varieties but there are also a lot of other types of vegetables which are being sold specifically in the region.

Ard tries to lift 50 kilos of Kila Cabbage brought down by farmers from the mountains to the loading area before transported to the trading posts.

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ed to nd) compar e (foregrou bl ti ep sc at ) su s ackground Geminiviru t hybrids (b an st si re s u India Geminivir hra Pradesh, Guntur, And

PUMPKIN BREEDERS TEAM MEETING HELD AT GUNTUR AND BANGALORE, INDIA

by Jim Lothrop

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he biannual Pumpkin Breeders Team Meeting was held at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru, Karnataka India in July 2012. Participants came from China - Hou Bixiu, the Philippines - Renita Beronilla, Marilyn Hinlo (breeders), and Ramil Panergayo (pumpkin PMC manager), and Thailand - Pin Lohawittayakul and Jim Lothrop.

At Guntur (16º18’ N latitude, 30 masl) we were hosted by Sandeep Naik Kumar and farm manager Sambashiva Rao. The HOT-1 trial consisted of 141 Cucurbita moschata F1 hybrids. We also planted a HOT-2 trial of 3 Geminivirus tolerant F1 hybrids and 2 checks, Arjuna and Leela.

At Bangalore (now Bengaluru) (12º 58’ N latitude, 945 masl) we were hosted by station manager Makarand Pandey, assistant Sandeep Naik Kumar, pathologist Sushil Kumar, and the ROM for India, Shashikant Nahire. PDS team members Vasanth Kumar and Ramesh Shiraguppi also attended. They made presentations, and helped us to select at Bangalore.

Plantings at Bangalore replicated the HOT-1 and HOT-2 trials at Guntur, and also included demonstration plots of other hybrids. There was no Geminivirus infection at Bangalore. However, polyvirus (PRSV, ZYMV) symptoms were visible on the fruits of some susceptible hybrids.

In general, yields were excellent. Our Indian colleagues gave invaluable help in evaluating the pumpkin fruit flesh quality and taste required for the India market. We identified several hybrids for further testing.

We thank our Indian hosts for their excellent organization and kind hospitality during our meeting. All concerned are happy to see the progress we are making in developing pumpkin hybrids for the challenging conditions in India. We will continue with our focus of combining yield, quality, and disease resistance. Our breeders returned home with important information that will enable them to better coordinate their work, and quickly develop hybrids for Indian conditions.

TREE PLANTING FOR GM’S

50th Birthday

BY NILIMA PAWAR

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urangabad -- To celebrate the 50th birthday of our General Manager, Mr. Satish Joshi, we held a tree planting ceremony at the East-West Seed India head office. All employees participated enthusiastically. We encouraged the staff to plant trees in their backyards and communities. We believe that planting trees in a neighborhood or a business district can greatly improve the mental and physical health of residents and workers. By doing so, we put in our sincere efforts towards corporate social responsibility. As they say, “little drops of water make the mighty ocean.”

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HMTD INTRODUCES

NEW PRODUCTS IN VIETNAM

by Wiwat Phupaibul

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here are plenty of melon varieties in Vietnam, w h e r e consumer preferences vary across regions. People from the South prefer native melons which have a strong, fragrant aroma similar to the Thai melons, while those from the North prefer the small green round fruit similar to the hybrids from China.

Recently, EastWest Seed Hai Mui Ten Do (HMTD) introduced a yellow-skin sweet melon called “Kim

TOMATO GRAFTING TECHNOLOGY by Tian Jinlan

Hoang Hau” which means “Golden Queen”.

It was selected from hybrids in our melon breeding program, and produced positive results from the trials. It was noted for its good taste, sweetness, crispiness, and good shelf life. Middlemen are very satisfied with the quality of fruits, with over 80% of fruits being market grade.

quality, the right amount of sweetness, and the advantage of having anti-cancer properties.

For many years Vietnam has had a high consumption of waxy corn. In the past, waxy corn was mostly eaten by people in rural areas. Nowadays more people from rural areas come to work in cities, which has shifted the demand for more waxy corn, reinforced by the move towards a healthy lifestyle and the search for better eating quality.

At the same time, we will launch a pure white variety with some sweetness, “Nep Deo Ngot 367”.

In 2010, we were the first company to launch the bi-color “Tim Deo 926”. Besides its quality, this variety is a good source of anthocyanin which has anti-cancer properties.

This year, we have been putting a lot of effort to reinvigorate this product. So far, it is the only bi-color waxy corn sold in the Vietnam market and we believe strongly in its potential.

HMTD has put great effort to test the product performance of sweet corn in various farmers’ fields and also checked the eating quality with consumers during our HMTD brand Grand Opening last May. We obtained positive feedback from all dealers during the event and the seeds have been asked immediately. We plan to launch two new waxy corns and a sweet corn in the last quarter of this year.

By the last quarter of 2012, we plan to launch a new bi-color with “some (25%) sweetness”, “Tim Ngot 099”. People have tasted this hybrid and remarked on its excellent eating

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t our R&D station in Nanning, grafting has proven to be effective in controlling soilborne diseases including Fusarium wilt and bacterial wilt for tomato.

Starting two years ago with simple grafting Old post-grafting growth tunnel facilities, we have improved the survival rate to around 70% under semicontrolled conditions.

and vigorous plants after transplanting, especially w h e n accompanied with drip irrigation system for both indoor and outdoor t r i a l s .

New post-grafting growth chamber O r i g i n a l l y, the outdoor fields’ watering relied on channels and rains which inhibit us from much more efficient management of watering and fertilizing. This irrigation system partly solves the workforce shortage and water supply problems.

Higher survival rate means greater efficiency for tomato cultivation.

In the past, the usual point of failure is the period of post-grafting management which requires keeping the grafted seedlings under stable conditions. Today, we have equipped our small grafting room with simple equipments to create a stable and comfortable environment for the seedlings.

Soil improvement has been high on the agenda to counter soil-borne diseases and to balance the clay texture of the soil. Field corn and peanut shells help with the soil ventilation. Field corn, green manure and peanut shells are applied in rotation to increase the organic matter in the soil. Among the initial effects we have observed are uniform

Open field irrigation system

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PMC: A process of strategic change

he PMC Concept or the Product-Market Combination is the first initiative in our “Focused Tropical Leader” strategy. Its aim is to strengthen our strategic focus and ensure East-West Seed’s position as the best tropical seed company in the world. As the company is growing fast in the midst of a changing operating environment, the need to have strategic focus is paramount. The PMC can help identify the most important market segments, spot and seize opportunities quickly and focus on what is really important. It will facilitate knowledge building around key PMCs and build a concentration point of market and product knowledge. With this strategy we will become more selective and can focus on the products and markets we pursue. This means fewer products with high growth potential and where we have relative strengths.

Four PMC Managers were appointed to take the lead in aligning functional teams’ activities, develop and coordinate business plans to ensure excellence in selected PMCs. We interviewed our PMC managers to learn more about their exciting, challenging work.

What are your PMCs and what makes them special?

Sanong: My PMCs are waxy corn tropical, sweet corn tropical and brassica. Corn is very important for the group. Our waxy corn is market leader in Southeast Asia. Our products are recognized for their good eating quality compared to competitors.

For sweet corn, we are continuously trying to improve our breeding program because the market is very big in each country.

Michael: I’m currently managing 3 PMCs; 1) Eggplant Asian Long, 2) Marigold Cut Flower – an important PMC for India, Thailand, and Vietnam in addition to potential new markets in other SE Asian nations, 3) Watermelon – we believe in focusing our resources to deliver desired fruit size in the market.

Ramil: My PMCs are: pumpkin tropical moschata, which includes Arjuna, one of the consistent top sellers in the group; Tomato tropical lowland, where we are winning in the last two years in EWPH and starting to gain acceptance in Indonesia; and Asian Melon which we are just starting to sell new varieties.

Ric: Papaya Fresh – very important crop with huge growth potential to contribute significantly to the company’s growth in the coming years. In terms of R&D and marketing resources, we have enough capability to exploit the attractive market of papaya. It is now becoming popular because of its high vitamin content, and can be eaten fresh or as a green vegetable. It also has cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. I’m also working on bittergourd – bittergourd is a “heritage” crop for EWS. Jade Star’s introduction in 1985 in PH and “Sae Yid 71” introduction to TH in 1987 were the first locally developed commercial vegetable hybrids that revolutionized vegetable growing in Southeast Asia. Galaxy, Palee, Kiew Yok are dominant market leaders in their respective markets.

PMC Manager Sanong Maneewan at a cabbage farm in Cameron, Malaysia

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he role of PMC Managers is to develop, communicate, coordinate, assess and direct the business strategies of assigned Product-Market Combinations.

The PMC managers form a PMC Working Group, composed of members with necessary business/technical know- how, and with the support of Company Managers and Group Functional Managers.

PMC Managers have been doing a lot of travelling in the past few months getting to know their PMCs, visiting fields and markets, gathering market information, meeting key staff involved in PMCs and coordinating strategies and PMC directions.

They have identified and formed PMC Working Groups, and completed 2nd Quarter Report on market updates, sales reports, inventory and production status, product pipelines, R&D, PDS programs etc.

How can PMC help us?

Information sharing, best practices, knowledge, latest developments, future trends, etc.

Better alignment, teamwork and communication of cross functional teams Faster product launching, fewer risks in new product launch Continuous Learning Effective Product and P&L Monitoring Talent Management pool

The Business Plan is underway, being finalized to be presented in October 2012.

How do you like working as a PMC manager?

Ric: PMC allows me to understand in a deeper level the whole business of EWS, from product development, production, marketing etc. I get to travel and meet a lot of people from different countries working on different functional responsibilities. It gives me the chance to get in touch with farmers, dealers, stakeholders from various countries and gives me a broader perspective of the global seed industry. Integrating my past experience, other people’s experiences and wealth of knowledge altogether help develop sound business strategies and effective management of PMCs. This is a challenging and fulfilling job.

Ramil: PMC work is challenging and exciting. We have to look on how we can grow our business, deeply looking at products and markets.

Michael: I really enjoy the work as it gives me the opportunity to learn all aspects of my PMC and especially to know all the great people behind our success.

Sanong: The PMC is a challenging and exciting job. We can learn more in each country, and by matching the market requirement with our product we put together a business plan and propose to each country in our group. We help create the strategy for each country in order to come up with activities that will lead to market growth or to become stronger against competition.

PMC BIT Working Group members KFC, Lamai and PMC Manager Ric Reyes, are joined

by EWTH Sales and Marketing Team Issara, Thanawat and field staff during farmer field visits and MI gathering in Central Thailand

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What are your discoveries in the process of working as PMC Manager?

Michael: That each department has in-depth information and knowledge in their field.

Sometimes, all these information do not get linked to each other in an effective and efficient way. When information gets linked, great results always come out.

Ramil: In a relatively small market, we can have a “home run product”. This is the case of tomato DMax in EWPH. Sanong: Products in each country should be prioritized according to volume and value, strategically selecting our product to match the market in each country, and then finding outsourced products for potential markets.

Ric: I discovered the vast impact EWS has made in transforming farmers’ lives. It is not only true in the Philippines. When I talk to farmers from India, China, Thailand, Myanmar,etc, you could see in their eyes their appreciation to EWS. Farmers from different countries share the same stories.

They testify that using EW seeds gave them better yield, profit and has significantly improved their lives. Same familiar stories, i.e. they were able to build a house, pay off their loans, send their kids to schools, and a whole lot more. Stories like these are heartwarming and makes you feel proud to work for East-West Seed.

Deliverables to Internal Clients Strategic PMC Business Plan - analyze competitive situation, sales forecast for each country and strategic initiatives. Coordinate and monitor implementation Reliable Market intelligence – for R&D, Crop Breeding Managers, PDS, S&M Progress reports/technical advice on action plans – conduct progress reviews, identify issues, provide advice and raise the red flag if necessary. Recommend actions to improve Profit and Loss of his PMCs PDS reports and flow lists Quality Monitoring – customer satisfaction SWAT - quick response recommendations

PMC Manager Michael McDaniel with EW India sales manager Pramod Kakani at a wholesale market in Pune, India

Any instance where you found/ corrected/ improved something as a result of your getting to know your PMC over the last few months?

Ramil: There is room for continuous improvement in our internal business process. For example, alignment and product advancement strengths vary among EW countries, so there is a possibility to harmonize and enhance this further. In order to meet the objective of bringing improved products into the market and growing our market share, stronger alignment of R&D –PDS -S&M-SOM can have a huge, positive impact.

Michael: In eggplant, we were able to put on hold the production of a new variety which was actually a similar variety to what was already commercially available in another market. By looking at the numbers, we found that it was uneconomical to produce this new variety with such small quantities when we could just purchase from our sister companies and still maintain the margins.

(continued)

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(continued from previous page) Sanong: We can coordinate and help bridge the gap in communication within internal processes, helping each function perform with the most impact. In any process there is a huge possibility to harmonize and enhance, and to keep each other updated. For instance, breeders can provide updates on breeding projects for the next 5 years, S&M can provide market information, SOM on the progress of standards in seeds production and how to improve our weak points, PDS for the product testing updates and plans for the next step. The main function is communication and how to get different groups working together to get the best result.

Ric: Coordination and alignment are key. For instance, when Maya, a newly introduced bittergourd, ran out of stock in India, PMC urged support of functional departments to fast track product availability. DNA testing was given priority to the variety, QA quickly released the batches, SPPW packed the seeds and logistics arranged for air shipment for fast delivery.

This is a good example of teamwork in support of PMC. Coordination in getting updated market information from S&M, PDS and sharing them with PMC Working Group allowed review and validation of breeding priorities and identify new traits needed to improve our value offer. In PMC Papaya Fresh for instance, good transportability and shelf life were given emphasis as important traits aside from disease tolerance and yield.

Why they need our support For the PMC concept to succeed, it takes a lot of coordination, cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. Specifically, they will work with various teams and tap their inherent expertise and knowledge.

PMC Manager Ramil Panergayo with the pumpkin breeding team at Guntur,India.

What are the biggest challenges of the job?

Michael: As PMC is a new concept, trying to deliver the concept and message to all departments can be a challenge as the PMC will only be successful if there are contributions from all departments involved. I therefore would ask everyone to feel free to have open communications and to share information with us as it will benefit the Group.

Sanong: The challenge is how to turn the ideas and recommendations into an action plan for each country: how to find the product suited for the market in that country, how to communicate and coordinate with each country to ensure smooth working dynamics, what is the benefit that each country expects from us and how to get them to accept the idea.

Ric: Communication and coordination of cross functional/cross border teams.

Getting updated market information from different markets.

Ramil: Getting and consolidating market data from different countries.

Communication and interaction from R&D, PDS, S&M and SOM in different EW countries involved in the PMC.

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EWINDO and IPB cooperate to preserve germplasm of horticultural plants

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by Retha Amanda D

n 7 August 2012, PT East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) for education, research and community service. One of its main points is to initiate the Germplasm Bank of horticultural genetic resources in Indonesia and use it as public genetics resources.

“We hope that through this cooperation Indonesia’s genetic resources, in particular horticultural plants, can be conserved and optimized for the benefit of farmers,” said Afrizal Gindow, EWINDO Sales and Marketing Director. Through this partnership, he hopes that other companies will contribute in conserving the genetic resources through the ‘genetic resources bank’.

The Genetic Resources Commission states that Indonesia has vast genetic resources, but due to the erosion of genetic resources, about 75 percent of it was lost before it could be utilized. One cause of such erosion is poor conservation and maintenance of genetic resources.

In addition to encouraging the preservation of genetic resources, this partnership also opens opportunities for students to practice and research in EWINDO. The two institutions also agreed to cooperate in the field of research to tackle problems in the seed industry, technological innovation and the cultivation of vegetable seeds.

“We believe that through the genetic resources conservation, research and innovation to discover high quality vegetables, we can help the government achieve self-supporting horticultural products. We also hope to continuously increase the farmers’ capacity, as part of our commitment to be the farmers’ best friend,” Afrizal said.

PRODUCT FESTIVALS HIGHLIGHT EWS VEGGIE VARIETIES

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WPH has come up with exciting and creative ways to promote awareness of EWS products among consumers, focusing on the quality and benefits of its vegetable varieties. The market leader in the Philippines, EWPH has been collaborating with Local Government Units (LGUs), NGOs and Vegetable Growers Associations in conducting product festivals in major vegetable growing areas nationwide. The product festival serves as a venue to promote our products, create awareness among our customers and at the same time strengthen our linkage with the private and government sectors in the vegetable industry.

by Lawrence S. Corpus

Pumpkin Festival The Pumpkin festival was attended by representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education, key farmers, and traders. Activities included the “Pumpkin Power Lifting Challenge” where contestants tried to outdo each other by holding up two large Suprema pumpkins in each hand for the longest possible time. We also held a search for the heaviest pumpkin or the “Pumpkin King”. The winner presented the heaviest Suprema at 13.2 kg. Lastly, we held a Pumpkin Cooking & Carving contest. Cash prizes and vegetable seeds were given to the winners.

Sandiya Festival The Sandiya (Watermelon) Festival is held every year in major watermelon areas. This year, key farmers, traders, financiers and LGUs were invited to participate in the event. The winning entry in the “Search for Biggest Watermelon” was an 11-kg Sweet 18. Other activities included the watermelon carving contest, watermelon eating contest, power lifting, and the most anticipated Ms Sweet 18 Beauty Contest. The event gained the attention of local TV and print media.

Sili Festival The Sili (local word for Hot Pepper) Festival was held in Northern Luzon and attended by more than 200 farmers and local government units. Highlights of the festival were the “Hot Chef Cooking Contest, the longest Hot Pepper line contest, and the much anticipated “HOT PEPPER EATING CONTEST. Medical personnel were on standby in case the situation becomes “too hot to handle”.

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OUR ROLE IN IMPROVING THE MARKET SHARE OF LOCAL VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

IN CAMBODIA

by Chandary Keo

Mrs. Chhoeun Chany (trader) with EW ridge gourd collected from a local farmer

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here are m a n y bottlenecks w h i c h contribute to the low quality and low volume of vegetable b e i n g produced in Cambodia.

M a n y farmers

misunderstand the costs of using hybrid seeds, there is a lack of available technology, and quality seeds and other necessary inputs remain inaccessible in some parts of Cambodia.

EWIT is working very hard to change this situation. Hybrid seed is gradually becoming recognized as a sound investment once the farmers have developed better farm maintenance techniques that result in higher yields and improved qualities.

Our technical staff works closely with farmers to upgrade their skills in growing vegetables

using EW varieties whose characteristics and quality the market demands.

In a recent interview with Mr. Heng Ham, a farmer in Prey Krouch Village, Krabei Riel Commune in Siem Reap Province, he said he is happy to invest in hybrid seeds because “I also get 2-3 times higher yields than before.

I have never had so many tons of vegetables to sell. Other farmers in the village are now interested to grow vegetables by using EW seeds after they saw how much I am able to harvest and the good quality of the vegetables. Nowadays it has become easier to find the shops selling EW seeds, and they are even available in my village”.

EW technical staff link new products produced by farmers to the consumers through close cooperation with vegetable traders. Traders were invited to join field days on demo farms to see the new products, and they take this opportunity to secure more reliable supplies of better quality vegetables.

Collectors recognize that buying hybrid vegetables adds value to their business as the appearance is good, the uniformity is better and the shelf life is longer.

Such qualities improve the competitiveness of local products on the markets which are still dominated

by imported vegetables.

Mrs. Chhoeun Chany, a vegetable trader in Prey Krouch Village in Siem Reap Province said “My business has become more profitable. I have vegetables that were previously unavailable in Siem Reap. I can now trade in vegetables produced in my village throughout the year and the quantities available have increased considerably.”

After three years of working with farmers and vegetable collectors, the two red arrows of East-West Seed have become widely known.

Improved vegetable production starts with high quality seeds alongside appropriate farm practices. Farmers are willing to adapt new practices once they are able to see that these changes generate more yield and income.

EWPH hosts

BOA Vice Chairman Ard Groot, Robert Acosta and EW local staff in Cambodia visiting the farm of Mr. Heng Ham with

CORN CROP CIRCLE MEETING

by Gabrielle B. Parungao

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WPH hosted the 4th Corn Crop Circle (CCC) Meeting last July at the Hortanova Research Center in Lipa City, Batangas.

The meeting was attended by 25 CCC members from EWIT, EWTH, EWROH, HGR, EWINDO, EWIN, EWCH, EWS HMTD and EWPH. R&D, Sales and Marketing (S&M) and Product Development Support (PDS) were all represented. In addition, the meeting was made special by the participation of Vice Chairman of the Board of Advisors (BOA), Ard Groot and EWPH General Manager, Mary Ann Sayoc. CCC chairman and EWINDO Managing Director Glenn Pardede presided over the meeting. This meeting is a transition from CCC to Product-Market Combination (PMC) Corn which is led by PMC Manager Sanong Maneewan.

The meeting included half-day field evaluation, and another halfday discussion and presentations. The field evaluation showcased several potential new varieties for sweet and waxy corn, followed by a taste test. The afternoon presentations focused on corn market size, sales development and forecast for the next 5 years, segmentation, inventory status and breeding development programs for sweet and waxy corn.

The meeting was a success, and all are looking forward to better sweet and waxy corn varieties for the whole East-West Seed Group in the future.

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EWS ACADEMY launches logo and slogan

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ast-West Seed Academy is happy to announce its new logo and slogan, which capture the identity and vision of the Academy.

The logo reflects the Academy’s purpose: to serve as a door or portal that leads to a world of expert Seedsmanship. Through the Academy, employees are given access to a vast collection of knowledge and expertise through long years of experience in the field.

The red letter A represents the “Academy”. The shape forms a triangular portal to the world of knowledge. The plant growing over the letter A, symbolizes Seedsmanship and Growth as the focus of the Academy. The globe symbolizes the extent of our reach as a market leader and global company.

A slogan contest was launched in September to find the best slogan for the Academy. Over 200 entries were received from all over the company, from different countries and departments.

The winning slogan, selected from the Top 8 slogans shortlisted from all entries by a committee that did “blind-screening” (names of participants kept secret), is: “Know More. Grow More”.

This slogan was created by Ms. Worawan Ujjin, Jiab of ROH – HR. As a prize, she received a $150 gift check of her choice, converted to local currency. Congratulations on being a part of the Academy history and thank you to everyone who participated!

WELCOME EMPLOYEES We would like to give a warm welcome the • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

new members of the East-West Seed family.

Robert de la Pena, Group Research Operations and Product Development Manager, HGR Sutin Eiamsa-Ard, Group ICT Manager, ROH Mark Relova, EWS Academy Manager, ROH Stuart Morris, Agricultural Extension Manager - Myanmar Bapak Agung Subroto, Deputy Seed Operation Director EWINDO Eden A. Perez, Senior Researcher-Cell Biology, EWPH Marilyn M. Belarmino, Genetic Resources Manager, EWPH Edwin L. Javier, EWS Academy Training Coordinator, EWPH Malikarjun Revanappa, SOM Manager, EW India Gautam Saha, Manager- HR & Org. Dev, EW India Wu Xia, Financial Accountant EW-China Qin Renqing, Farm Technical Support EW-China Thunnaree Kitthanareungkil (Mol), Manager, Green & Clean Raivin Ruchirek (Pang), Legal Assistant, ROH Thongkong Thongkongyao , Legal Assistant, ROH Ratchaporn Ruangsri (Nan), PDS Assistant, EWIT Meynard Tosay, PDS Assistant, EWIT Pornpimon Rungarunratsamee (Nueng), Assistant to DGM, EWIT

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Nawapat Kumlar (Som), Seed Supply Administrator, SOM ROH Siripen Yaemprai (Pao), Finance Assistant, ROH Eliot Cline, ICT project leader, HGR Ma. Virginia de Guzman, Senior Accountant, EWPH Ronel M. Reyes, BS Breeding Technician, EWPH Luzviminda C. Rapista, Farm Foreman, EWPH Quenee J. Boniao, BS Breeding Technician, EWPH Hazel S. Virginiza, Admin Assistant, EWPH Juan Paolo S. Josue, PDS Assistant, EWPH Melcyn S. Tiemsin, Finance and Admin Assistant, EWPH Renalyn S. Adlawon, Technical Trainee, EWPH Orlando B. Cabang, QA Assistant, EWPH Eric Adrian J. Panting, Sales Planner, EWPH Grace Glend R. Gabisay, BS Breeding Technician, EWPH Arnel G. Abuan, Seed Production Assistant I, EWPH Cindy DC. Teodoro, Sales Admin Assistant, EWPH Roderick B. Bayaborda, Seed Technologist I, EWPH Vergil Deza, Marketing Supervisor, EWPH Ingrid Joyce Gabriel, Seed Production Assistant, EWPH John Mark Sison, PDS Assistant, EWPH

We also say thank you to the following who have left the company, for their service and dedication.

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Sompis Likhitapisit (Sompis), Logistics EWIT Sitchana Thummasatit (Turk), HR ROH Kamonun Chiraorn (Jinko), Sales and Marketing EWTH Lin Jia, PDS Specialist, EW China Zhang Lingyan, PDS Assistant, EW China Louie Andrew A. Cartago, Seed Technologist, EWPH Frances Grace E. Malamnao, QA Assistant, EWPH

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Ed B. Noval, Marketing Supervisor, EWPH Romel C. Suniga, Seed Production Specialist, EWPH Jesilee P. Infantado, Senior Accountant, EWPH Rheyson G. Leary, Junior Programmer, EWPH Carry Neil M. Angeles, QA Analyst/Technologist, EWPH Elizabeth E. Supangco, Product Manager, EWPH Harlan Magno, Breeding Technican, EWPH