ewph celebrates 30 years

7/30/2019 EWPH Celebrates 30 Years

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EWPH celebrates 30 years, pays tribute to outstanding Filipino

veggie farmers

by Francine Sayoc

The yearlong celebration of East-West Seed Philippines 30th

anniversary culminated last 12 December

2012 (12-12-12) with a whole day affair marked by a well-attended Field Day, the inauguration of the

new office building, and a spectacular Awards Night for thirty outstanding vegetable farmers aptly

named 30 Farmer-Heroes.

The day started bright and early with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated in front of the new building,

followed by the blessing of the new building. The San Rafael office grounds were beautifully decorated

with ornamentals and vegetables.

By 7:00am, the farmers, dealers and guests started arriving, eager to see the field demo. More than 500

visitors, plus 300 employees, participated in the field demo which showcased a wide range of EWS

promising varieties and successful ones in a 1.5-hectare space at the Farm Ready compound, planted

with a total of 118 varieties.


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In addition, a garden was set up to showcase ornamental plants such as Marigold, Vinca, Dianthus,

Cosmos, Celosia, Petunia and Zinnia. An urban garden creatively displayed many of our leafy vegetables

including lettuce Curly Green, kangkong Kangkong Pinoy, amaranth Amayah, pakchoi Choy,

pechay Pavito and basils planted in drums, old tires, bamboos, polybags, clay pots and plastic bottles.


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On display were nine varieties of waxy corn with pure white kernels (Klasika, Klasika 2, Sweet Pearl and

Perlas), bicolor- white and purple kernels (Sweet Violet), bicolor- white and yellow kernels (not yet

commercial), tricolor-white, purple and yellow kernels (not yet commercial) and pure purple kernel (not

yet commercial). There were also 4 varieties of sweet corn which also includes 1 bicolor variety (not yet

commercial). The bitter gourd varieties planted were Palee, Best, Galaxy, Galactica, Bonito and the

bitter gourd variety BIT 12719 which will be introduced in PH by 2nd quarter of 2013. BIT 12719 has

resistance to namamarako with big light green fruits. Our new watermelons, Sugarball and Sugar Baby

Max, had big fruits which caught the attention of the farmers. We also showcased Sweet 16 and Sweet

18 together with the small oblong watermelon varieties (WAM 111 red flesh and WAM 112 orange

flesh) which will be introduced in the market next year. The butternut type of pumpkin and the snake

gourds were also interesting to the farmers as these are not common in the Philippines. A lot of interest

was also received for the off season onion variety Primo.


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Our successful varieties were showcased, including 10 varieties of eggplant (including Casino, Morena,

Banate King and Gwapito), 7 varieties of yard long bean (including Bongga, Mariposa, Galante and

Pantastiko), 7 varieties of cucumber (including Ambassador, Dilag and Mega C), 5 varieties of big fruited

pumpkin (including Suprema and Engrande), 9 varieties of hot pepper (including Red Hot, Astig and

Django), 5 varieties of lady finger (including Smooth green), 5 varieties of bottle gourd (including

Mayumi, Dalisay and Himala), 3 varieties of luffa (including Hermosa and Primera), 7 varieties of tomato

(including Diamante Max) and 2 varieties of papaya (Red Royale and Carinosa).

At the main office, a permaculture farming demo prepared by the Technology Transfer team showed

how intercropping of certain vegetables and herbs can help plants grow and flourish. They showed

many practical ideas that could be adopted by hobbyists and commercial planters alike.


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A PMC booth creatively showcased important market segments of papaya, eggplant, pumpkin,

watermelon, melon, corn, hot pepper, and sweet pepper varieties.


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During the morning program, SNG talked about his vision of higher vegetable consumption in the

Philippines and encouraging more farmers to plant vegetables. He said vegetables are not only a steady

and profitable source of income for farmers, but an integral part of a balanced diet and therefore

important to the countrys health and nutrition. He called for, less rice, more pinakbet!


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EWPH also launched its organic Suprema and organic Galaxy seeds during the field day. This marks the

introduction of organically-produced vegetable seeds in the Philippines. EWS is the first company to

market organic hybrid vegetable seeds in the country. These seeds were produced in an all-natural

method, sans chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This initiative is largely in support of the

Philippine Organic Act (RA 10068), which the Department of Agriculture is keenly pursuing in the current

administration.

Another highlight of the morning affair was the inauguration of the new office building, a beautiful and

functional two-storey modern structure with a stunning view. A tree planting ceremony was held inhonor of the celebration, and the building marker was unveiled by SNG and members of the Supervisory

Board.


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The EWPH team showed great teamwork and clockwork efficiency in managing the event. Teams were

created to usher guests to the field and transport them from Farm Ready to the main office. Everyone

had a role to play from registration, venue decoration and physical arrangement, field guide, food and

refreshments, program and invitation, logistics, souvenirs and all did their part with enthusiasm and

energy.


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Celebrating the Success of Farmers

Thirty vegetable farmers were hailed the Philippines best at the Awards Night held later that day at The

Greenery in Baliuag, Bulacan.


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The Awarding of the 30 Farmer-Heroes capped a four-month search for outstanding farmers who have

achieved success, shown innovativeness in adopting improved technologies, contributed significantly to

their communitys development, and improved consumer welfare with the help of East-West Seed

varieties. Each farmers success story is unique and praiseworthy. The winners received cash prizes,

vegetable seeds, plaques of recognition and full VIP treatment.

The party was made more festive by colorful performances from the EWPH staff.


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We could not think of a more meaningful way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to pay tribute to

the success of Filipino vegetable farmers. Its time we recognize their entrepreneurial spirit and hard

work, which have uplifted farming communities and provided better lives for their families, said Mary

Ann Sayoc, EWPH General Manager.


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Prior to the selection of the 30 Farmer-Heroes, some 450 vegetable farmers in total were honored as

Regional Champs in a series of road shows that covered 15 regions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Nominees were evaluated based on the following criteria: farmer excellence, integrity and outstanding

quality, contribution to community, innovativeness and entrepreneurship.


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We are tired of the notion that farmers are poor and living in substandard conditions. We want to

prove that notion false. The 30 farmer awardees are proof that vegetable farming is a productive, rich

source of livelihood. Farming is sexy! said company president Joost Pekelharing.


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Promoting the Vegetable Industry in the Longer Term

The 30th

anniversary also marked the fulfillment of SNGs dream to build the East-West Seed

Foundation. Launched during the evening affair, the Foundation was created with a two-fold purpose: to

contribute to the development of Philippine vegetable industry, and to influence Filipinos to increase

their per capita consumption of vegetables for improved nutrition and better health for all.

Since East-West Seed was established, the mission of empowering farmers by equipping them with the

right tools: good seeds and greater knowledge, was an inseparable part of our business culture. Our

founder Simon Groot said much of our work can be described as missionary, said Sayoc. We want to

build on our role as the farmers champion, to become a builder of communities. Thats the idea behind

East-West Seed Foundation. The Foundation was launched through a lantern ceremony. #


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ewph celebrates 30 years

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