On 22nd October the new facilities for Rijk Zwaan Afrisem in Arusha (Tanzania) were opened, where vegetable varieties are being developed for tropical African agriculture.

The official opening proceedings were carried out by Dr David Mathayo, Assistant Secretary of State of agriculture in Tanzania. Also involved were Anton van Doornmalen, co-owner and chairperson of Rijk Zwaan's advisory body, and Simon Groot, founder and chairperson of East West Seed's board of directors.

Rijk Zwaan Afrisem was founded in January of 2008 and is a collaboration between Rijk Zwaan and the breeding company East West Seed from Thailand, who has much experience in the development of varieties for tropical markets. Rijk Zwaan Afrisem's goal is to equip the local African horticulture with hybrid varieties within a few years. This should produce a good yield that is resistant to the present diseases and plagues, and should agree with the wishes of the local market.

Unique initiative
With Afrisem, Rijk Zwaan focuses on the development of vegetables for the African market, making this a unique initiative. Though the activities won't produce any profit for Rijk Zwaan in the short term, the seed breeder is convinced that durable and profitable horticulture in Africa can only be made possible with local adapted varieties and good growing advice. For this, the existing knowledge and facilities of Rijk Zwaan and East West Seed will be thoroughly taken advantage of. And there are also samplings taking place in Arusha for the European breeders so that the new location can be utilized to the maximum for all those involved.
The new breeding facilities are in the middle of an important horticulture area. Rijk Zwaan Afrisem is focusing foremost on the crops tomato, hot pepper and African aubergine. A Dutch plant breeder works at the company, assisted by 3 highly educated Tanzanian assistants and a team of 30 motivated employees from the region.