The World Food Prize-known as the Nobel Prize for Agriculture and Food-was awarded, on 10/13/19, to Simon N. Groot. Dutch entrepreneur who for four decades has helped small farmers in tropical areas improve horticultural production.
Good seeds and knowledge, a shared success
Seed production has been rooted in Simon N. Groot’s family for 6 generations. Who in 1982 founded, together with a local partner, Benito Domingo – the
East-West Seed
. A seed enterprise, started on 5 hectares of land near Lipa, Batangas Province, Philippines, with technical support from a group of researchers from the Faculty of Agriculture at Wageningen University (Netherlands).
The mission of the enterprise has always been to help small farmers improve their productions. Through the provision of seeds and especially knowledge about good agricultural practices. Good seeds to change the lives of local communities.
‘Be a true friend of farmers, because the small guys really do matter. And so do vegetables‘ (Simon N. Groot)
The turning point for 20 million farmers
In four decades, East-West Seed’s tropical horticulture seeds have reached Asia, Africa and Latin America. Starting a revolution that has enabled small-scale farmers to improve production efficiency and increase earnings, and consumers to have easier access to healthy and nutritious food.
In 2017, East-West Seed sold 24 million seed packets, priced at US$1 each. High-quality seeds designed for growing vegetables in small plots. More than 20 million farmers in 60 countries around the world now plant the improved seeds of 60 vegetable crops on 28 million hectares of land.
The
World Food Prize
is the most important international award for achievements in improving the quality, quantity and availability of food as the foundation of human development. The award was established in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. In addition to the well-deserved glory, it awards a prize of $250,000.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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