b"Closeness to customers is one of the values that has set KWS apart for nearly 170 years. We have an obligation to leverage favorable farming condi-tions where we can, Bchting says. That way, we dont have to increase productivity in zones with fragile biodiversity.KWS's emphasis on long-term relationships is evident in its commitment to transparency, communication and listening. Bchting says farmers arent just customersthey are collabo-rators in KWSs mission to improve agriculture.Through our sales and consulting teams we are in constant exchange with our clients, he says. We want to understand their challenges, their local conditions, their vision for their farm. That kind of dialogue helps us breed better varieties, and it helps farmers know they have a reliable partner at their side.By putting farmers at the center of its strategy, KWS ensures its products are not only innovative, but also practical, resilient and relevant. Its a relationship rooted in shared goals and mutual Overview of the KWS corporate facilities in Einbeck, Germany. respect.Most of them are family entrepreneurs like us, Bchting says. We speak the same language.That trust is especially important now, as farmers across theLooking Forwardglobe are facing fast-paced environment of change. BchtingAs he steers KWS into its third century, Bchting says his goal is says the company is working urgently to provide genetic solu- to keep the company strong, adaptable and deeply grounded in tions that address climate, pest and regulatory pressures. its values.Weve lost important seed treatments like neonicotinoids inI want the next generation to be aware of our history, he the past years, he says. Theres a real opportunity to developsays. But not to feel burdened by it. Rather, to see it as a privi-new genetic resistance, even though it takes time. lege and opportunity.KWS also believes to have a clear responsibility to helpEven as the company changes and evolves, Bchting says increase productivity per hectare, especially in regions where theKWS isnt just preserving the past. Its stoking a future full of pos-best growing conditions prevail. sibility.SW12/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025"