In the spotlight: Wampie Libon

This interview features Wampie Libon, Director of Inclusive Green Growth at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Netherlands, as she shares insights into her role, experiences, and vision for the seed sector.

How have you been settling into your new role?

Last summer I started as Ambassador for Sustainable Development and director IGG. Our department deals with Dutch international policy and development aid related to themes such as water, food security, and climate. The transition has been smooth, partly because our Minister for Foreign Trade and Development is also new, which has provided opportunities to engage in discussions about policy development and to join her on visits. Minister Klever visited numerous companies and institutions, including Rijk Zwaan and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and we also organized an insightful discussion with Netherlands Food Partnership. These experiences have been very helpful in shaping my perspective as well as approach in this role.

What connection do you have with the seed sector and seed sector development?

I have worked on international, economic, and European issues throughout my career. Previously, I was Head Economic Affairs and Climate Policy at the Dutch embassy in Washington D.C. and recently Director for International Business at the ministry. Throughout these roles, I was in close contact with the Dutch agricultural sector and participated in trade missions and activities. I have always been very proud of the innovation within the Dutch agricultural sector.

A flagship of what we do is the seed sector, where the Netherlands clearly is a world leader. During a trade mission in Vietnam, I witnessed the incredible work being done in the Mekong Delta, where companies and researchers are developing crops suited for salinity-affected areas. Similarly, in Kenya, I saw firsthand the impact of the longstanding collaboration between Dutch and local stakeholders. The ecosystem that has been built around seed development is truly inspirational. Beyond the perspective of the producer, I also value the seed sector as a consumer - centuries of expertise and specializations which lead to great, nutritious and affordable food.

What, in your opinion, is the importance of public-private partnerships?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) bring together the strengths of different actors—private sector, smallholder farmers, public sector, knowledge institutions, and civil society. These actors are all part of a puzzle: when they all work together, we can achieve far-reaching results. Each actor is a crucial piece: private companies develop and distribute improved crop varieties, public institutions are there to establish regulations, breeder’s rights and ensure quality control, knowledge centers innovate climate-resilient crops, and civil society organizations help to adapt solutions to local context.

The Netherlands is a leader in this collaborative approach, and we see many successful PPPs where Dutch stakeholders from the seed sector engage with their counterparts in countries like Ethiopia, Kenia and Nigeria. These PPPs have yielded strong results in terms of agricultural growth, development of innovative climate-resilient seed varieties, strengthened public sector capacity to control seed quality, seed sales, and increase of local food security. The Dutch approach is more holistic; it focuses both on the formal and the informal (farmer-led) seed sector. In many countries this informal seed development  is still needed to also allow the poorest to achieve better harvests. To work within this complex seed system, combining both sectors - is where the Netherlands has added value and it is also to our benefit. Our global reputation in agriculture and water management reinforces this approach. Wageningen University has trained many professionals who now hold key roles in organizations worldwide, which further strengthens these partnerships. This creates an ecosystem that you can build and use. This really is a unique selling point for the Netherlands.

At the same time, we can also learn from others. For example if you look at food security, you also need to consider water management and the local context, and adapt to this. Many countries are focusing more on local capacity building rather than just importing seeds. It’s no longer a question of choosing between local development and exports—we must find ways to do both effectively, as seen in initiatives like Rijk Zwaan’s work in Tanzania. Ultimately, developing regional markets will benefit everyone involved.

What have you learned from SeedNL as a PPP?

What I have seen so far is that SeedNL is a highly effective partnership. I’ve attended several meetings and have found that communication lines are short, which makes collaboration efficient and productive. Having a close network in both The Hague and across the Netherlands enables us to align quickly on key issues. This strong foundation allows us to work together effectively and make a real impact.

How do you see seed sector development fitting in with the current Dutch MFA policy direction?

The new government policy on development will focus on programmes and diplomatic activities in areas where the Netherlands excels: water management, food security and health. We will be looking for win-win solutions that benefit the social-economic development of the partner countries and our own goals. The choice for water and food is a logical one. Whenever I go abroad, partners want to work with the Netherlands in these areas.  We will now have more funding available for that. The seed sector plays a key role in this strategy, contributing to sustainable food systems and agricultural resilience.

How can the SeedNL community support you in implementing the new policy?

We look forward to working together to advance this agenda. There is significant potential to explore how SeedNL can contribute to our goals, particularly in enhancing food security and building sustainable agricultural systems. By leveraging our collective expertise, we can drive meaningful progress.

What is your message to the SeedNL family?

I am eager to strengthen our cooperation further, together with Ralf van der Beek and our colleagues at the Ministry of LVVN,  as well as our private sector, knowledge institutes, and civil society partners. Our embassies are a key asset—they identify opportunities on the ground and help create win-win solutions. By working together and capitalizing on these strengths, we can push this agenda forward and make a lasting impact both for smallholder farmers as well as for the Dutch private seed sector.