An Michiels appointed to lead SeedNL Partnership

An Michiels has been appointed to lead the SeedNL Partnership starting November 1st, 2020.

SeedNL focuses on how the seed sector in developing countries can be strengthened, and where the sector can potentially expand to emerging economies, improving the productivity of farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation have launched this innovative public-private partnership with Plantum, the Dutch association for plant reproduction material, as a concrete implementation of their shared ambition to contribute to ending hunger in the world.

An is an inspirational leader with solid network and 15 years of experience in leading teams in the Ag Tech industry. She has been instrumental in advising and leading startups, served on advisory board and has held director level roles for large international Seed , Technology and Agribusiness companies.

In her current role as Head Seed Development of Syngenta Europe, Middle East and Africa, she manages all breeding, seed development and agronomy operations for the region, including various initiatives on sustainability and development of new varieties and seed systems for climate smart agriculture in Africa and Middle east. She has held several positions at Limagrain Hazera, Bayer Crop Science and Nunhems working for their Netherlands based fruit and vegetable seed businesses.

Over the years, she has built an extensive network with key players in the international Food and Ag Tech world.

An grew up on a tomato greenhouse farm in Belgium and has a Master and PhD from the University of Leuven in Applied Bioengineering.

This is an exciting opportunity for the organisation as we will contribute to global food security and will cooperate at the crossroads of aid and trade, involving the government, businesses, civil society organisations and knowledge institutions to make high-quality seed available to farmers worldwide.