In this edition of “People Behind the Crops,” we had the pleasure of interviewing Jose Antonio Zorrilla Lozano, a dedicated Tomato Mini Plum Breeder at Hazera. With a rich background in agriculture and a passion for innovation, Jose Antonio has been a key player in the development of new mini plum tomato varieties that meet the needs of growers and consumers alike.
Jose Antonio, 41, hails from a small village called Orcera, Spain. He moved to Almeria for his university studies and has since built a remarkable career in the agricultural industry. Starting as a crop supervisor, he worked his way up through various roles at De Ruiter and Monsanto before joining Hazera in 2010. Over the past 14 years, he has made significant contributions to the company, particularly in the breeding of mini plum tomatoes.
What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?
Jose Antonio clarifies, “People think we work with transgenic crops, like putting a gene from a fish into a tomato. But the reality is we do everything manually, accelerating natural processes to create better crop varieties”.
In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait someone should have to work in your industry?
According to Jose Antonio, understanding the entire market chain is crucial for success in the breeding industry. He explains, “You need to understand what all these people need and identify the gaps in each step. When you identify the gap, you can focus on breeding to cover this gap”.
Tell us about a project you’re proud of and why?
Jose Antonio is particularly proud of the development of the Pendragon variety, a miniplum cherry loose tomato that is ToBRFV IR resistant. He shares, “I’m very happy with this typology because it has not only improved yield but also reduced labour costs. Growers are very happy because they can continue growing mini plum tomatoes with less manpower”.
What does “Hazera- Growing Together” mean to you?
For Jose Antonio, the slogan “Hazera – Growing Together” encapsulates the collaborative nature of breeding. He says, “The grower is getting a good product, the supermarket is getting better quality with less waste and the consumer at the end is very happy with the taste.”
Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know.
Interestingly, Jose Antonio did not initially plan to become a breeder. He reveals, “When I finished university, I didn’t know exactly what to do. Many people in this industry come from families with agricultural backgrounds, but that wasn’t my case. It was only after starting work in the industry that I discovered my passion for breeding”.
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