Breeding of disease tolerant vegetable seed The pest Tuta absoluta is a major catastrophe for tomato growers in many developing counties in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Traditional chemical control measures are not very effective against this pest and alternative pest control has also its own conditions for effectiveness that can often not been met in these countries. For that reason Gebroeders Bakker Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V. has decided to develop a hybrid tomato variety that is tolerant for this pest. They have decided to establish a seed breeding station in Jordan to work on this problem. As they have to set up a seed breeding station under local conditions they have decided to start a breeding programme for an egg plant variety that is Fusarium resistant as well. The project is interesting because of its contribution to agricultural knowledge development in Jordan, the development on breeding for resistance against and tolerance for plant diseases and pests opposed to chemical control and the involvement of local outgrowers.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will implement the GSPP principles in the greenhouse (plant sanitary provisions). They will develop an appropriate HRM policy as plant breeding is precise work and is knowledge intensive. For that reason employees need to be treated well to stay with the company.By applying International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and International Seed Federation (ISF) standards, the company will take care of environmental issues and workers safety as well as chain responsibilities.In the contracts with farmers the prevention of child labour will be taken care of but the work itself is not risky on this part as registration and administration needs to be done by "skilled" persons.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will organise good working conditions, both from financial as from safety perspective. Safety standards will be assured by implementing ISTA and ISF standards.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe partners will involve the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Amman in the knowledge that will be transferred to the project. At a certain stage, the joint venture will have field days for general audience so from that moment information will also be shared with competitors and other parties in the sector.•	Chain effectsThe joint venture will contract ten outgrowers for testing the promising hybrid seeds. They will receive a fixed amount for their services per unit (greenhouse tunnel) which will be fair; selling the harvest will be the profit for that unit.•	Impact on the sectorFarmers in the region have severe problem with pests and diseases. Chemical control is often not effective so they are not able to grow the most lucrative cash crop or take big risk. The project will provide hybrids that are tolerant and needs less chemicals. The benefit for the consumers is that vegetables will be available on which lower quantities of chemicals have been used.•	EnvironmentThe projects' products will reduce the use of chemical pest control products with vegetable growers, that are a burden for the environment.•	Position of womenThe joint venture will encourage women to apply for the jobs but as the breeding station.•	Impact on food safetyThe project will contribute to food security, especially in developing countries by making tolerant/resistant hybrids available for the market.•	Impact on waterNo particular activities projected. The aim of the project is to establish a seed breeding centre in Jordan for initially breeding Tuta absoluta tolerant tomato varieties and a Fusarium resistant eggplant variety.