b"CONTENT FROM SANSORMEET A FEW OF SANSORS MEMBER COMPANIESAs we travel to South Africa for the ISF World Congress, lets meet a few of SANSORs members.AS THE INDUSTRYgears up fornourish 90 million peoplewith manyWe look forward to continuing to take participation in the International Seedmore benefitting from its other opera- Starke Ayres from strength to strength Federations (ISF) World Seed Congress,tions.enabling us to achieve the Plennegy theres a lot of new people youll meetStarke Ayres opened its first sub- vision: to grow food and to service those during the conference. But, as we gearsidiary outside South Africa in Namibiawho grow food, so as to feed and nourish up to travel to South Africa, heres a fewin 1998. The company's Kenyan andthe continent and beyond, says Michael SANSOR member companies to keep onZambian subsidiaries have expandedYeadon, executive chairman of Starke your list while you networking.its African footprint even further, withAyres. The future looks brightand ripe a branch in Mozambique scheduled tofor harvestingas Starke Ayres prepares Starke Ayres: 145 Years of Growingopen in July this year. Today, Starke Ayresto forge ahead with its mission to grow Africa and Beyondis the largest independent vegetable seedpartnerships ethically and sustainably Not many vegetable-seed supplier com- company in South Africa with hundredswith its people, customers and communi-panies can boast that their heritage hasof people working across six continentsties by ensuring affordable access to the been 100% rooted in South African soil committed to growth, innovation andhighest quality seeds from Africa.for over 100 years.superior customer service. Well do this by investing in Africa and Starke Ayres' contri- The COVID-19 pandemic affectedempowering its people, says Yeadon. bution to food secu- many industries as most economicThis is part of our passion for giving back rity in South Africa,activities came to a standstill. However,to the communities that have played such the continent, andStarke Ayres was classified as an essen- a huge role in the longevity of Starke beyond, has beential service as part of the food chain.Ayres. Everything we do is rooted in fruitfully achievedStarke Ayres employees continued tothis continent, so our mission is to grow for over 145 years.work tirelessly to provide seeds to SouthAfrica. Our mandate has never been Its business objective has always been toAfrica's farmers and home gardeners,clearer: to feed and nourish the continent feed the planet. ensuring that South Africans could putand beyond.In 1986, Starke Ayres launched its firstfood on their tables. The company saw anJoin us in our commitment to high-green bean seed-breeding programme.increase in vegetable consumption, pre- quality seeds, sustainable practices, and Today, the company's research andsumably as people tried to adopt health- feeding the planet.development process includes pump- ier lifestyles given the health concerns kin, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, andfaced by the worlds population. DespiteThe European African Seed Initiative peppers. Its proprietary seed-breedingthe pandemic's challenges, Starke AyresBrings Modern Solutions to the Seed programs produce 1.16 million tons of veg- continued to operate at record output,Sectoretables annually; and the company's threeexperiencing increased sales in both 2020European African Seed Initiative (EASI key vegetable seed-breeding programsand early 2021. SEEDS) is a modern-thinking, solution-50/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023"