Here’s a favorite quote of mine from the commemorative book marking the 20th anniversary of East-West Seed Company in 2002.

“SEEDS are small, almost like dust, yet if breeder, seed producer and seed processor do their parts right, those small seeds become the indispensable starting point for a long chain of beneficial downstream developments in markets, farming systems and rural revenue streams. In fact the case can be made that reliable, quality seed has had greater impact on market development in tropical countries than millions in aid money supplied by well-meaning governments and international organizations.”.