Rijk Zwaan's Century Mark & New R&D Center: Cultivating a Sustainable Future in Vietnam

Rijk Zwaan, a leading global vegetable breeding company, recently marked its 100th anniversary with the inauguration of its Research and Development center in Lam Dong, Vietnam. This dual milestone underscores Rijk Zwaan's enduring commitment to innovation, sustainable agriculture, and fulfilling the needs of growers and consumers in Southeast Asia.

From its humble beginning as a seed shop in Rotterdam in 1924, Rijk Zwaan has grown into the fourth-largest global leader in vegetable and fruit breeding. Over the past century, the company has expanded its reach to over 100 countries, fostering strong relationships with growers and customers worldwide.

Rijk Zwaan's Centenary Celebration, held on September 18-19, brought together colleagues, growers, partners, and government representatives, notably including Mr. Daniël Stork, Consul General at the Consulate-General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, and Mr. Pham S, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong People's Committee, to honor the company's rich history and promising future. The event served as a platform for highlighting Rijk Zwaan's core values of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.

A centerpiece of the centenary celebration was the grand opening of the Rijk Zwaan R&D station in Lam Dong, a key horticultural hub in Vietnam. This new facility is poised to play a pivotal role in developing vegetable varieties specifically tailored to the unique needs of Southeast Asian growers and the region's fresh produce market.

The station will serve as a testing ground for varieties that thrive in local growing conditions, including the region’s climate, soil types, and modern growing systems. This focus on local adaptation will empower growers to produce high-quality, sustainable crops.

Mr. Rens Knieriem, Rijk Zwaan's Business Manager Asia, emphasized the crucial role of regional and local testing in bridging the gap between research and breeding. The Lam Dong station will generate reliable data to inform breeders and provide valuable insights to growers, ensuring the delivery of the most suitable varieties to the market.

"We have our own breeding and trialing companies all over the world. We are proud to announce that Rijk Zwaan Vietnam in Lam Dong will meet all requirements in the areas of hygiene, crop management, and data acquisition which are necessary to bring the most reliable seed varieties to the market, not only in Vietnam but also in the other (sub)tropical highlands of Southeast Asia," said Mr. Rens Knieriem.

Mr. Dang Van Nien, General Director of Rijk Zwaan Vietnam added: "By applying advanced technology to the breeding and selection process, we are committed to delivering high-quality products that meet the increasingly diverse needs of the market. Every seed, regardless of where it is produced in the world, undergoes strict quality control in the Netherlands before reaching customers."

Mr. Nien also highlighted Rijk Zwaan's leadership in transforming agriculture in Vietnam and Southeast Asia by sharing expertise and innovations, enabling the shift from traditional to high-tech farming practices.

Rijk Zwaan's 100th anniversary and the opening of the Lam Dong R&D station are a testament to the company's enduring legacy of innovation and collaboration. As Rijk Zwaan enters its second century, it continues to pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture in Vietnam and beyond.