Proceedings of the Fifth Asian Regional Maize Workshop - Search ...

develop maize hybrids that meet the real needs of farmers in the region. OUr philosophy is that
we must offer something that is good for the farmer as well as good for ourselves, or create a
"win-win" situation.
Thailand is the home of our maize breeding center where hybrid development work began in
1981. We have a 36 ha irrigated farm in Nakhon Sawan province where we use local and international
germplasm to develop maize hybrids that are high yielding, lodging and disease resistant,
drought tolerant, and possess other traits that maize farmers need. We also have our own seed
processing plant in Lopburi province. When seed companies began sell ing hybrids in Thai land in
the early 1980's, many people doubted that Thai farmers could afford hybrid seed, or whether
hybrids would be worthwhile for the farmer. However, after planting hybrid maize seed with
adequate inputs, farmers discovered that their yields and incomes can reach almost twice as much
as when they use improved open pollinated seed or SUwan seed. As a result, maize hybrid seed now
accounts for 30 to ~ of total maize seed used in Thailand and continues to grow. So far, Ciba
hybrids have been well accepted by Thai farmers. From our first commercial sales in 1987, we now
are among the top 3 suppliers of hybrid grain maize seed in Thailand. Ciba seeds has also been
very successful at developing hybrids for baby corn, the immature corn cob that is eaten as a
vegetable. Now we are the top supplier of hybrid baby corn seed in Thailand. We are very happy
with the role that Ciba has been able to play in helping Thai farmers.
Economic development in Southeast Asia has also brought changes to the grain maize
industry. Increasing populations with higher incomes are conslllling more and more meat and dairy
products, meaning higher demand for maize for animal feed. On the other hand, as countries
develop, their labor rates increase and traditional maize exporters now find they must serve
local markets first, wh;le new countries are becoming ma;ze exporters. All this means maize
farmers have to become more product;ve. And since the amount of land planted to maize ;n most
countries most probably cannot be increased, maize farmers in th;s region will have to turn to
hybrids to ;ncrease their yields and incomes. In this changing market place, Ciba seeds is
seeking to service the growing needs of maize farmers in the neighboring Asian countr;es. OUr
principle for these new markets is the same: 1) that hybrids from our breeding program should be
well tested in the countries where the product will be grown to make sure they meet farmers needs
and 2) we must offer maize farmers a proposition that is good for them and as well good for
us, or create a "win-win" situation.
Ciba seeds is now testing its maize hybrids in the Phil;ppines and Vietnam, and we hope to
start soon in Indonesia. Although we may not be as far ahead commercially in the region as other
seed companies, we know there is always an opportunity for companies with good products and a
fa;r approach. And we look forward to the day when we can playa significant role in helping
maize farmers ;n these countries as we already do ;n Thailand.
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