RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 127
Kazinga RZ
Kerio RZ
Limpopo RZ
20
07
Prologue RZ
Cucumber
Around ten years after its inception, the initiative
Development projects
is starting to bear fruit (literally), and the first
Development Cooperation Committee
seeds from hybrid varieties of the local aubergine
As part of Rijk Zwaan’s 75th anniversary in 1999, the
type (Kazinga RZ, Kerio RZ and Limpopo RZ) are
Board decides to make a substantial donation
ready for sale in the sub-Saharan African market.
to charity. The choice falls on a development
These varieties are characterised by higher yields,
project in Nicaragua. In 2001, Maarten Zwaan
uniformity, earliness, firmness, shelf life, flavour
visits Nicaragua and several other countries in
and better resistance to pests and diseases,
South America. On his return, Martin is gripped
making them a true milestone for African horti-
by the question: ‘How can Rijk Zwaan contribute
culture. The varieties also offer African farmers
structurally to better living conditions in
the opportunity to generate a better income.
developing countries?’, and he realises: ‘With our
Besides aubergines, Afrisem also focuses on
knowledge, we can do really great things.’
developing hybrid varieties for other vegetables
This plants a ‘seed’ for further development
such as African leaf cabbage, tomato and African
cooperation by Rijk Zwaan, together with local
hot peppers.
parties, where structural assistance in the field
Mildew-resistant.
Resistant to
necrosis.
The first with
small leaves.
20
07
Charlie RZ
Chard
Breakthrough
variety in
chard market.
of horticulture can be provided with Rijk Zwaan’s
20
07
Brioso RZ
Tomato
specialist knowledge and resources.
To make this happen, the Development
Top variety in
cocktail cluster
segment.
Year-round
high production,
even when
cultivated
under lights.
Cooperation Committee (COS) is set up to
promote development work. In 2002, the first
Official
project is launched in Peru in cooperation with
opening
of Afrisem
local NGO Aprodes. This project in Chanchamayo
in 2009.
is based on the ‘train the trainer’ principle that will
To get the maximum result from high-quality
also be used in many of the later development
hybrid seeds, growers need to use cultivation
projects. The focus of the project is on growing
techniques that are suited to local conditions.
peppers in greenhouses.
20
07
Launch of
RZ Chile
This means that Afrisem is not just engaged in
crop improvement but is also educating African
20
07
Launch of
Afrisem
growers on how to use modern cultivation
techniques. To do this, Rijk Zwaan has a demo
station in Arusha and is building a team of crop
20
07
Launch of
RZ Mexico
specialists and product developers for East and
West Africa.
With this unique initiative of vegetable breeding
2008-2009
for the local tropical African market combined with
the dissemination of knowledge about these crops
Peruvian woman in her
and modern cultivation techniques, Rijk Zwaan
family’s vegetable garden,
wants to help build up Africa’s horticulture sector
constructed with the
and therefore the global food supply.
support of Rijk Zwaan and
Aprodes.
2000-2014 | Chain activities and the growing position in society
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