The Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Simon Nanne Groot, a visionary leader, pioneering seedsman, and one of the founding architects of our association.
Mr. Groot was instrumental in the formation of APSA more than three decades ago. As a founding member, his early guidance and support helped to shape what would become the region’s leading platform for seed sector development. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, he was later conferred APSA’s Honorary Lifetime Membership—the highest individual honor bestowed by our organization.
A sixth-generation seedsman from Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, Mr. Groot dedicated his life to transforming the lives of smallholder farmers. His founding of East-West Seed in 1982 with Filipino partner Mr. Benito Domingo marked a turning point for tropical vegetable farming in Asia. His core belief—that access to high-quality seed is essential to ending poverty and malnutrition—inspired an entire generation of innovation in plant breeding, farmer training, and sustainable agricultural development.
His influence extended far beyond business. Mr. Groot was a fierce advocate for farmer empowerment, technological access, and common-sense solutions that prioritized food and nutritional security. In 2019, he received the World Food Prize, often called the "Nobel Prize of Agriculture", for his lifelong work uplifting millions of smallholder farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America through improved vegetable seeds and practical knowledge transfer.
Mr. Groot's presence and principles have long guided APSA’s mission. His insights, humility, and commitment to serving farmers remain foundational to who we are and what we do. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy will forever be interwoven into the DNA of APSA, and his contributions will continue to resonate across the Asia-Pacific seed community for generations to come.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Groot’s family, friends, and colleagues around the world.
Simon Groot was more than a founder—he was a force for good. His legacy endures.