The Success Of Vietnamese Farmers Is Our Growth Motivation | Rick van der Linden, De Heus | EP 382

The success of Vietnamese farmers isn't just a local story—it's a global growth blueprint. Rick van der Linden, Managing Director of De Heus’s Livestock and Genetics Business in Vietnam, reveals how the company’s deep partnership with farmers, rooted in trust and shared values, has driven its explosive growth since 2008. Unlike transactional corporate models, De Heus treats farmers as entrepreneurial partners, not just customers. By embedding themselves in rural communities—sharing coffee, even beer—employees gain real insight into farmers’ struggles, from salinization in the Mekong Delta to climate volatility. This relational approach, combined with a commitment to innovation in animal nutrition, genetics, and farm design, has turned De Heus into a key enabler of Vietnam’s agricultural transformation. Rick’s own journey—from a young man embracing uncertainty by moving to Vietnam to leading a multinational team—epitomizes the 'say yes and figure it out' ethos that fuels both personal and organizational growth. The episode underscores a powerful truth: sustainable development begins not in boardrooms, but in the fields, where resilience, relationship, and real-world impact converge.