Seedsman Simon Groot Honored as 2019 World Food Prize Laureate

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) congratulates Simon Groot on his well-deserved recognition as the 2019 Wolrd Food Prize Laureaute by the World Food Prize Committee. Groot’s work with tropical vegetables enabled millions of smallholder farmers to progress from farming for subsistence to becoming horticultural entrepreneurs. This shift has allowed for both rural and urban economic development, as well as a growth in available nutritious vegetables for families around the world.

“Through his leadership in plant breeding and seed provision of tropical vegetables, combined with significant efforts in capacity development in agronomy, Mr. Groot has generated a sustainable impact on millions of smallholder farmers, initially in Asia, but later also in Africa and central America,” said ASTA’s President & CEO Andy LaVigne. “Even when his company grew, he remained a practical seedsman, always willing to go to the field, and talk with farmers and traders in local markets. In this way, he followed in the footsteps of Dr. Norman Borlaug.”

For more information, read ASTA’s press release.