Participants of the East Africa Knowledge Clinic Pilot Initiative, January 2025.
East-West Seed has always been committed to delivering high-quality vegetable seeds, but long-term success depends on more than just great products. Farmers need the right knowledge and technical support to unlock the full potential of their crops. Recognizing this, the company launched the East Africa Knowledge Hub, a pilot initiative designed to strengthen technical expertise, set high standards for farmer engagement, and ensure field teams are trusted advisors rather than just sales representatives.
To make this initiative a reality, East-West Seed partnered with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) along with Wageningen University & Research. This collaboration bridges the gap between product excellence and practical agronomic support, ensuring that field staff can provide farmers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
Launched in Tanzania in 2024 and led by East Africa Regional Business Head Robert Kimonge, Wageningen expert Herman de Putter and EWS-KT Knowledge Transfer Manager for Tanzania Epaphras Milambwe, the program consists of six intensive training sessions, five of which have already taken place. Topics covered include farm economics, crop protection, soil and nutrient management, irrigation, and in-field advisory techniques. By focusing on practical, hands-on learning, field teams are gaining the expertise needed to deliver consistent, high-quality advisory support.
The initiative brought together over 25 sales promoters from East-West Seed Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, 12 EWS-KT Tanzania staff, and 5 Tengeru Horticultural College students, fostering regional talent exchange, best practice sharing, and stronger collaboration between the EWS-KT and East-West Seed teams. It also set the foundation for ongoing mentorship programs, buddy systems, and joint initiatives, while recognizing achievements through certificates.
Early farmer feedback has been promising, with many reporting higher productivity and increased confidence in their farming decisions thanks to better guidance from field staff.
By integrating agronomic expertise with commercial outreach, the East Africa Knowledge Hub pilot initiative is shaping a new standard for farmer engagement. This purpose-driven initiative reflects East-West Seed’s commitment to being a trusted, pioneering, and nurturing partner for farmers in the region.
