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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 (5th) 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 (1st) of Field Crop Seed Companies but ranks 6th
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 (1st) 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 (7th) 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 9th 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 (16th) 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 (17th)
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 13th 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 (14th) 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 (11th) 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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