East-West Seed Group
East West Seeds trains farmers to sell better-quality seeds, thus increasing their income – an inclusive business activity: East West is a well-established multinational seed company with a solid reputation and good financial performance. Asia-wide, it has annual revenue of $74 million and Myanmar revenues of $4.7 million from the early stages of operation, mainly from the sale of imported seeds. In 2018 the company has been setting up its own production plant for seeds in Yangon, and is expanding its distribution channels.
The company believes that vegetable production can be a viable income opportunity for poor and low-income farmers in Myanmar. Part of the business strategy involves substantial training financed through CSR. Farmers
are receiving training on improved farm inputs in various innovative ways. These include mobile information booths, certified plant-doctor clinics, moderated social media and app groups led by model farmers, expos showcasing varieties and improved practices, links to Ministry of Agriculture extension services, and information dissemination through local input dealers and traders.
The company provides training to 300 farmers. Ultimately, the information could reach 25,000 farmers. The company believes it could then increase farmer incomes by 20% to 30% based on the fact that vegetable farming can be done as intercropping or a secondary crop, thus creating additional income. As well, vegetables are high-value products bringing higher income than staple foods. Vegetable farming is also a good business for farmers with small plots of land and is thus particularly important for poor and low-income farmers.