Kangkong

Ipomoea aquatica Forssk

Kangkong is one of the most widely-grown leafy vegetables in China and Southeast Asia today.

With a short growth to harvest time—just three weeks—and minor production requirements—seed, fertilizer, and regular watering—it is no wonder that this crop has become so popular. Kangkong, also known as chinese water spinach, thrives in the heat and humidity when other crops struggle, making it easy to cultivate.

An often-overlooked crop, East-West Seed saw an opportunity in the 1980s to revolutionize a cheap commodity market into a high-quality seed market to better benefit kangkong growers in the region.