Outlook of Vietnam and Dutch Solutions: East-West Seed Evaluates Agricultural Prospects

In a recent panel discussion held on March 19 in Hanoi, Mr. Henk Hermans, the Region Head, Asia of East-West Seed, mentioned Vietnam's agricultural potential and the role of Dutch solutions in addressing its evolving needs. The session was expertly moderated by Nguyen Anh Phong, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam.

Talking about the potential for development of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry, Mr. Henk expressed that with Vietnam witnessing rapid growth, particularly in food production, he emphasized the country's favorable land and strategic position for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Beyond catering to domestic demand, Vietnam serves as a significant supplier to neighboring countries. This growth presents abundant opportunities, especially for seed companies, to introduce new and innovative products tailored to Vietnam's agricultural landscape.

Henk Hermans at the Panel discussion on Agro outlook Vietnam and Dutch Solutions on 19th Mar 2024 in Hanoi

Reflecting on East-West Seed's global presence, Mr. Hermans highlighted the company's commitment to providing innovative seeds and services that enhance the livelihoods of tropical vegetable farmers and promote sustainable farming and business practices. By reaching nearly 25 million farmers worldwide, East-West Seed contributes significantly to global food security efforts. Through its extensive variety offerings, East-West Seed plays a vital role in diversifying agricultural production, ensuring a stable and abundant food supply. By providing a wide range of affordable seed varieties adapted to local conditions, EWS helps make nutritious fruits and vegetables accessible to a broader population, thereby promoting food security and sustainable development in Vietnam.

Besides the promising prospects, Mr. Hermans acknowledged the challenges encountered by East-West Seed in Vietnam, particularly in forming partnerships and navigating intellectual property (IP) concerns in terms of investment opportunities in the Vietnamese crop seed industry in the coming future. While the company has yet to initiate breeding programs in Vietnam, it remains actively engaged in production and distribution across key countries in Asia. IP protection is crucial, given the competitive nature of the seed industry and the need to safeguard proprietary technologies.

From the left: Mr. Kang Chengrui, GM of EWS Vietnam, Christianne van der Wal, Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Henk Hermans, Regional Head, Asia at EWS 

As Vietnam's agricultural sector continues to evolve, East-West Seed remains committed to exploring investment opportunities while navigating the complexities of the market. With a focus on promoting food security and sustainable development, the company aims to contribute meaningfully to Vietnam's agricultural growth story, ensuring stable food resources for all amidst the challenges of climate change.

Aligned with EWS's dedication to fostering sustainable development in Vietnam's vegetable seed market, the company actively participates in the 'Empower Youth4Food' campaign organized by Nuffic, spotlighting dynamic industry engagement. At the recent conference themed "Towards a Sustainable Food System," Mr. Kang Chengrui, representing East-West Seed Vietnam, articulated how EWS can empower young talents in agriculture through this campaign.

"We want to inspire young people to start to build careers in the sustainable food production industry. So what EWS can support for this goal is to share our latest business initiatives and involve the youth in discussions around our innovations and initiatives in Vietnam by offering internships and arranging company/field visits as well as hosting guest lectures & workshops in the company. We expect that youth and young professionals can get a deeper understanding in agri business; particularly the seed business, and become passionate about this field. And in the future we also hope to create more job opportunities for all these talented individuals," Mr. Kang shared during the conference.

In line with this commitment, EWS actively offers career pathways for young individuals. The workforce at EWS Vietnam comprises basically individuals in their 20s and 30s, many of whom are graduates from prestigious Agriculture Universities in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta. Additionally, the company organizes various programs for undergraduate students, such as field visits, internships, career talks, and job fairs for VNUA, Can Tho University, Nong Lam HCM University, and Tien Giang Agriculture College. Furthermore, EWS extends its support by providing scholarships to children of farmers in rural areas across Vietnam. Through these initiatives, EWS actively nurtures the next generation of agricultural leaders, fostering sustainable development and prosperity in the Vietnamese agricultural sector.