Archive · 22 Jul 2026
East West Seed India's Transformation Reaches Global Classroom
East-West Seed India was in trouble in 2018 with high product returns and a long cash recovery cycle.
Dilip Rajan joined as Country General Manager and made changes to improve the company.
He fixed financial and operational issues, which led to better performance.
The company became debt-free by 2021 and now serves more farmers.
This story is now a teaching case in business schools to show how a company can balance purpose and profit.
East-West Seed India faced financial and operational challenges in 2018.
Dilip Rajan joined as Country General Manager and implemented strategic changes.
The company improved its cash flow and operational efficiency.
By 2021, EWIN was debt-free and growing at 20% year-on-year.
The transformation story is now a teaching case in global business schools.
- Who
- East-West Seed India (EWIN) and Dilip Rajan
- What
- Transformation of EWIN from financial trouble to debt-free growth
- When
- 2018 to 2021
- Where
- India
- Why
- To sustain the mission and scale operations
Purpose Over Profit
Profit Over Purpose
Mission Alignment
Purpose Over Profit
Prioritizing the mission and smallholder farmers is more important than financial stability.
Profit Over Purpose
Financial stability is necessary to sustain the mission and scale operations.
- Company
- East-West Seed India (EWIN)
- Year of Transformation
- 2018
- Product Returns
- 15%
- Cash Recovery Cycle
- 160–180 days
- Days Sales Outstanding
- Fell from over 160 days to approximately 30
- Debt-Free Year
- 2021
- Growth Rate
- 20% year-on-year
- Farmers Served
- Nearly five lakh (500,000) in 2021