AGROPRENEURS ZONE: BRIEF PROFILE OF WORLD LEADING SEED COMPANIES

Maize Breeder

Seeds are essential agricultural technology. Improved seed varieties play a critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity. Feeding the world teeming population wouldn’t have been possible without access to improved seed varieties. In many parts of the world, farmers’ access to improved seed varieties was made possible through the breeding effort of formal seed sectors. Seed production has developed into a specialized task, one that is now carried out by both small and large seed companies alongside public research institutes and Universities. Improved seed varieties not only help farmers increase their yields, but they are also important for what is often described as sustainable intensification, i.e. combining higher yields with sustainable use of other agricultural inputs, such as water, fertilizers and crop protection products. Seed companies have developed seeds varieties that are disease resistant, better adapted to low-input conditions or climate-change challenges such as drought. Their effort has helped to meet the challenge of hidden hunger using bio-fortification that increases the nutritional value of crops. Equally, their effort has helped to extend the shelf life of crop thereby ensuring better storability and transportability. Some of these seed companies have presence in West Africa, East Africa, Latin America, South Asia, South-East Asia and beyond. Brief profile of the world leading seed companies are highlighted below;

Bayer: Bayer CropScience AG (Bayer CropScience) is active in the seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control segments. It offers seeds and traits for cotton, vegetables and field crops through its operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Crop-breeding and seed activities were added in 2002, following the acquisition of Aventis CropScience AG. It is headquartered in Monheim am Rhein, Germany. It ranks third out of seven field crop seed companies and third out of ten vegetable seed companies. Bayer CropScience field and Vegetable crops portfolio include; Pearl millet. Rice paddy, Soybean, Wheat, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Gourd, Green bean, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Spinach, Sweet, pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Bejo: Bejo Zaden B.V. (Bejo) is a vegetable seed company. Its most established markets are Western and Eastern Europe and North, Middle and South America, but it is also developing markets in Asia and Africa. Bejo was founded in 1978 and is family-owned. It is headquartered in Warmenhuizen, the Netherlands. It ranks eighth in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. Bejo vegetable crops portfolio include; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Gourd, Leek, Okra, Onion, Spinach, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Turnip.

Dow AgroSciences: Dow AgroSciences LLC (Dow AgroSciences) markets crop protection products and seeds for a broad spectrum of crops, including maize, soybean, cotton and forage. The company began in the 1950s as the agricultural unit of The Dow Chemical Company. As a joint venture of The Dow Chemical Company and Eli Lilly & Co., it was known as DowElanco from 1989 onwards. In 1997, The Dow Chemical Company acquired 100% ownership. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It ranks in the lower range (5^th) of the Global Index of Field Crop Seed Companies. Dow AgroSciences field crops portfolio includes; Barley, Beans dry, Maize, Sorghum, Soybean and Wheat.

DuPont Pioneer: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. was established in the USA in 1926 and later renamed Pioneer. After its acquisition by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (commonly referred to as DuPont) in 1999, it became known as DuPont Pioneer. The company supplies a diverse range of field crop seeds alongside crop protection products. It is headquartered Johnston, Iowa, USA. It leads the Global Index (1^st) of Field Crop Seed Companies but ranks 6^th in the regional index. DuPont field crops portfolio includes; Beans dry, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean and Wheat.

East-West Seed: East-West Seed Company Ltd. (East-West Seed) is a vegetable seed company that originally focused on breeding and marketing varieties in Asia. It was founded in the Philippines in 1982 but moved its headquarters to Thailand shortly afterwards. More recently, the company has expanded its operations to other tropical and subtropical parts of the world. The company is family-owned. It tops the Global Index (1^st) of Vegetable Seed Companies and Regional Index ranking. East-West vegetable crops portfolio are; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gourd, Green bean, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon. Local vegetable crops portfolio include; Amaranth, Black nightshade and Spider plant.

Eza Zaden: Enza Zaden Beheer B.V. (Enza Zaden) is a vegetable seed company. Family-owned, the company was founded in 1938 and is based in the region of the Netherlands known as ‘Seed Valley’. It has subsidiaries in South and North America, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Africa and Asia. It is ranked seventh in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. Eza Zaden vegetable crops portfolio include; Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Gourd, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Groupe Limagrain: Groupe Limagrain Holding SA (Groupe Limagrain) is a cooperative holding company that produces and markets field crop and vegetable seeds, cereal-based products such as baked goods and pastries, and animal feed for farmers and processors. Seeds are marketed globally through ten subsidiaries. The company was founded in 1942 as Coopérative de Production et de Vente de Semences Sélectionnées du Massif Central. It changed its name to Groupe Limagrain Holding SA in 1965. Groupe Limagrain ranks sixth in the Global Index of Field Crop Seed Companies and Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. It is headquartered in Saint Beauzire, France. Groupe Limagrin field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Maize, Soybean, Wheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Pumpkin, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

KWS: KWS SAAT SE (KWS), together with its subsidiaries, is a plant breeding company with global reach. It operates primarily through its maize, sugar beet and cereals segments. The maize segment produces and sells maize for grain and silage as well as oilseed crops, legumes and sorghum. The sugar beet segment breeds sugar beet and potato. The cereals segment produces and distributes hybrid rye, wheat and barley. KWS was founded in 1856. It is headquartered in Einbeck, Germany. KWS ranks at the bottom (7^th) of the Global Index of Field Crop Seed Companies. KWS field crops portfolio include; Barley, Maize, Potato, Sorghum, Soybean and Wheat.

Monsanto: Monsanto Co. (Monsanto) operates in two segments: seeds and genomics and agricultural productivity (including agrochemicals). The seeds and genomics segment produces field crop seeds and vegetable seeds under multiple brands. This segment also develops biotechnology traits and licenses germplasm and traits to seed companies. Monsanto was founded in 1901 in the USA and has since expanded its operations to Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific. Monsanto ranks fourth out of seven field crop seed companies and fourth out of ten vegetable seed companies. It equally ranks eighth out of 17 Regional Index companies. Monsanto field and vegetable crops portfolio include; Beans dry, Maize, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Rijk Zwaan: Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V. (Rijk Zwaan) is a family-owned vegetable seed company. It was founded in 1924 and is based in De Lier, the Netherlands. The company has sales offices and breeding and production facilities all over the world. It ranks fifth in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. Rijk Zwaan vegetable crops portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Sakata: Sakata Seed Corporation (Sakata), together with its subsidiaries, sells horticultural products and materials in Asia, North, Central and South America, Europe, and the Near and Middle East. The company breeds, produces, procures and wholesales vegetable, flower and grass seeds, flower bulbs, vegetable and flower seedlings, and agricultural and horticultural products and services, including for the hobby gardening market. The company was founded in 1913. It is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Sakata ranks tenth and last in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. Sakata vegetable crops portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon.

Syngenta: Syngenta AG (Syngenta) offers a wide range of field crops, vegetable and flower seeds, and agrochemicals. Products are sold through independent distributors and dealers as well as directly to farmers. The Swiss-based company was founded in 2000, following the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals. It is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Syngenta ranks second in the Global Index of Field Crop Seed Companies and ranks second in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. It equally ranks seventh in the Regional Index. Syngenta field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Barley, Maize, Potato, Rice paddy, Soybean, Wheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Takii: Takii & Co. Ltd. (Takii) is active in the breeding, production, marketing and sale of vegetable and flower seeds. The company was founded in 1835. It is based in Japan and has operations in the USA, Brazil, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, India and Indonesia. Takii ranks ninth in the Global Index of Vegetable Seed Companies. Takii vegetable crop portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Spinach, Squash, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon.

Demeter Seed: Demeter Seed Ltd. (Demeter Seed) breeds, produces and markets a range of field crop seeds. The company is a sub-division of Demeter Agriculture Ltd (DAL), which has been engaged in the agricultural production of commodities and seeds since 2004. It focuses on selected bean, Cowpea, Pigeon Pea, soybean and maize seeds grown both on Demeter Seed’s farm and by out-growers. Seeds are processed, treated and packed at the main facility in Lilongwe, Malawi before being distributed through the company’s own network of outlets as well as through distributors outside Malawi. Most of Demeter Seed’s activities are located in Malawi and to a lesser extent in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. Demeter seed ranks 9^th in the regional index.

East African Seed: East African Seed Co. Ltd (East African Seed) supplies agricultural chemicals and equipment, ornamental seeds and a wide range of global field crop and vegetable seeds. The company was established in 1972 in Kenya and today has sales and breeding locations throughout Eastern Africa. The agrochemical division has operated under the Agriscope brand since 2003. East African Seed ranks third in the Regional Index. East African Seed field and vegetable crop portfolio includes; Beans, dry Maize, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Chilli Pepper, Eggplant, Gourd, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon. Local field and vegetable crops portfolio also include; Cowpea, Amaranth, Black nightshade, Crotalaria, Jew’s mallow and Spider plant.

Ethiopian Seed Enterprise: Ethiopian Seed Enterprise was established in 1978 and has operated in its present form since 2002. The company is the largest field crop seed producer and supplier in Ethiopia. It runs six seed production and processing centers, one main and six smaller laboratories, and several other facilities. Ethiopian Seed Enterprise is state owned and is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Seed Enterprise was established to serve local farmers in Ethiopia, both small and large, and therefore has multiple opportunities to contribute to improving access to seeds for smallholder farmers. However, the company’s performance in the Regional Index (16^th) is weak. Ethiopian Seed Enterprise field crop portfolio includes; Barley, Beans, dry, Finger millet, Maize, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean and Wheat. Only local field crop is Tef.

FICA Seeds: Farm Inputs Care Centre Ltd. (FICA Seeds) was founded in Kampala, Uganda in 2001 and is privately owned. Its portfolio includes a diverse set of field crop and vegetable seeds, both open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrids, among them sunflower and cotton. FICA seeds ranks 15th in the regional index. FICA field and vegetable crop portfolio includes; Barley, Beans dry, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Eggplant, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Hygrotech: Hygrotech Seed (Pty) Ltd. (Hygrotech) was founded in South African 1984. It markets vegetable seeds alongside a range of other agricultural products. In 2011 it launched FertAgChem, a division dedicated to research and development of agricultural chemicals. It has Regional Index’s weakest (17^th) performer. Hygrotech vegetable crops portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Green bean, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Pumpkin, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Kenya Highland Seed: Kenya Highland Seed Co. Ltd. (Kenya Highland Seed) was established in 1999 in Kenya and operates regionally. The company supplies open pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrid vegetable seeds; the latter marketed under the name Royal Seed Kenya Highland Seed ranks 13^th in the Regional Index. Kenya Highland vegetable crops portfolio include; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gherkin, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon.

Kenya Seed Company: Kenya Seed Company Ltd. (Kenya Seed Company) is a state owned company that researches, develops and markets field crop and vegetable seeds, pesticides and fertilizers. It was incorporated in 1956 and in 1979 it acquired Simpson and White Law, a vegetable seed company that trades under the brand name Simlaw Seeds. Kenya Seed Company also established the brands Kibo and Mt. Elgon in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively. Kenya Seed Company has contributed its own germplasm to collaborative projects aimed at developing varieties useful for smallholder farmers, donating drought-tolerant maize to CIMMYT’s Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa project (DTMA) in Kenya and disease-resistant maize to the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project. It ranks fourth in the Regional Index. Kenya Seed Company field and vegetable crop portfolio includes; Barley, Finger millet, Foxtail millet, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Green bean, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon. Local field and vegetable crops include; Pigeon pea, Amaranth, Black nightshade, Crotalaria, Jew’s mallow and Spider plant.

NASECO: Nalweyo Seed Company Ltd. (NASECO) breeds, produces and sells a wide range of field crop seeds. It markets its products through non-governmental organizations, stockists, and wholesale and retail distributors across Eastern Africa. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Kampala, Uganda. NASECO’s breeding programs focus on traits suitable for smallholder farmers. Besides breeding for increased yields and abiotic stress tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases, the company also breeds for increased pro-vitamin A content in yellow maize and culinary preferences such as milling, poundability and cooking time. NASECO ranks fifth in the Regional Index. NASECO field crops and local vegetable portfolio includes; Beans dry, Maize, Finger millet, Pearl millet, Rice, paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat and Crotolaria.

Pop Vriend Seeds: Pop Vriend Seeds B.V. (Pop Vriend Seeds) is a family-owned international seed company based in the Netherlands. It offers open pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrid vegetable seeds for use in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. Pop Vriend Seeds ranks at the lower end (14^th) of the Regional Index. It vegetable crops portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon.

Seed Co: The origins of Seed Co Limited (Seed Co) date back to 1940, but it was officially founded by seed producers in 1983 as the Seed Co-operative Company of Zimbabwe. In 1996, it went public and was listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Groupe Limagrain currently holds a 30% stake in the company. Seed Co gathers information during on-farm visits and variety demonstrations to help determine its R&D focus and priorities for breeding improved varieties for smallholder farmers in all countries where it is active Seed Co has an average ranking (11^th) in the Regional Index. Seed Co field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Barley, Beans dry, Maize, Potato, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Gherkins, Gourd, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon. It local field crops portfolio includes; Cowpea, Lablab, Pigeon pea and Tef.

Technisem: Technisem SAS (Technisem) was founded in Longué-Jumelles, France in 1985, with the aim of commercializing vegetable seeds for tropical areas especially Western Africa and the Middle East. Over the years, the company has expanded its activities to other parts of Africa, i.e. the Maghreb and Eastern Africa, as well as the Caribbean. Technisem ranks 12th out of 17 Regional Index companies. Technisem vegetable crops portfolio includes; Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gourd, Green bean, Green pea, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato, Turnip and Watermelon. Local vegetable portfolio includes; Amaranth, Black nightshade, Jew’s mallow and Spider plant.

Victoria Seeds: Victoria Seed Limited (Victoria Seeds) was founded in 2004 in, Kampala, Uganda. It has operations in field crops and vegetable seeds, horticultural and oil crops, and crop protection products in both the domestic and regional market. Since its inception, the company has operated three seed processing facilities and two research facilities. It ranks second in the Regional Index. Victoria Seeds field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Finger millet, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Gourd, Green bean, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon. Local field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Cowpea, Pigeon pea, Amaranth, Black nightshade, Jew’s mallow and Spider plant.

Zamseed: Zambia Seed Company Limited (Zamseed) was founded in 1981 as a joint venture between the government of Zambia and several private entities, including the Zambia Seed Producers’ Association (ZSPA) and the Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF), and with considerable support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The company has operations in field crop and vegetable seeds, with a focus on maize-breeding activities. Zamseed has contributed its own germplasm to collaborative projects with international research institutes, including the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). These contributions have helped breeding for crop varieties tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers in Regional Index countries. It ranks tenth out of 17 Regional Index companies. Zamseed field and vegetable crops portfolio include; Barley, Beans dry, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice paddy, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chili pepper, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Green bean, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Onion, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Sweet pepper, Tomato and Watermelon. Local field and vegetable crops portfolio includes; Chickpea, Cowpea, Pigeon pea and Amaranth.

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