Seed company honors 30 farmer-heroes

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Thirty farmers from Misamis Oriental, Caraga and some areas in Bukidnon were recognized as regional champs during the awarding ceremonies of East-West Seed Philippines’ Search for 30 Farmer Heroes held here recently.

The search is in celebration of East-West Seed’s 30th year of service in the vegetable seed industry in Southeast Asia.

As Asia’s leading vegetable seed company, East-West Seed recently announced its nationwide search for 30 farmer-heroes to honor Filipino farmers 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,” Mary Ann Sayoc, East-West Seed Philippines General manager, said in a statement.

East-West Seed’s Search for 30 Farmer Heroes will span 15 regions nationwide with 30 regional champs per region who will be automatically nominated in the national awarding to be held in Bulacan in December this year.

Two of the 30 farmer-heroes from Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions have the chance to be part of the 15 national awardees.

The nominees will be evaluated based 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 adaption of improved technologies for vegetable production.

“We recognize the success of these farmers para maipakita sa lahat na may buhay sa paggugulay,” said Michael de la Paz, East-West Seeds product manager, during the awarding ceremony.

The event was attended by farmer groups from Manticao, Libertad, Jasaan, Villanueva and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental; Barangays Iponan, Canitoan and Indahag in Cagayan de Oro; Libona, Manolo Fortich and Malitbog in Bukidnon; and Cabadbaran and Butuan in Agusan del Norte.

Also present were personnel from the Department of Agriculture, municipal agriculturists and councilors from the different areas in Regions 10b and 13b, fertilizer representatives and East-West Seeds marketing supervisors, field marketing representatives, technicians and dealers.

The farmer-awardees each received a certificate of recognition and a 30-year anniversary watch from East-West Seeds.

Aside from the awarding ceremony, East-West Seeds also staged a regional roadshow in Manolo Fortich to showcase their best technologies and products.

“The strength of East-West lies in the continuous research and product developments that we do. In fact, we do product launching every year,” de la Paz said.

East West Seed Co. was established in the Philippines in 1982 by Simon Groot, a Dutch agriculturist who saw the need for seeds that were adapted to local conditions in Asia.

The company’s strategy is based on breeding suitable varieties that allow farmers to be more productive, thereby contributing to agricultural sustainability.