Agriculture Development International (ADI) was established in 1999 to provide agribusiness services and technical assistance to developing countries. Key executives from Elm Valley Agricultural Group, Shamrock, Texas; MayerSeed International, Princeton, New Jersey; and Meyers & Associates, Washington, D.C., are represented in the management of ADI.

Our Mission

Agriculture Development International, Inc. (ADI) is an experienced group of professionals with expertise in multiple facets of agriculture inputs including research, production, and marketing. The principals of ADI are dedicated primarily to assisting target countries to improve agriculture production and trade worldwide. ADI has worked with the U.S. government on various programs seeking to facilitate a strong agricultural base and responsible participation. All projects are based on plans developed in cooperation with the recipient country. The group is a leading supplier of U.S. seed to Russia and has extensive international seed supply experience in Russia, North Africa, Tajikistan, Japan, Europe and South America. ADI works closely with the Texas A&M System through the Office of International Agriculture Programs. This provides for a strong partnership bringing research, extension and education expertise to assist developing countries. ADI is a member in good standing with the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and the principals of the company have routinely participated in USDA and ASTA trade missions to developing countries around the world. 

The mission of Agriculture Development International is to provide developing countries with the high quality agricultural inputs and technology to enhance their agricultural productivity and human resources. 

Our Philosophy

The philosophy of ADI is to work closely with partnering countries to develop and implement plans for agricultural development, focusing on the individual needs of the partnering country.

Recent Projects

2007

In 2007, ADI participates in Department of Defense planning session for agricultural and economic development for Iraq, including on-the-ground surveys and planning sessions in Iraq and Jordan. ADI successfully completes agricultural development and market development project in El Salvador in partnership with Texas A&M. 

2006

In 2006, ADI assists in agricultural development planning with the Department of Defense for Iraq, including survey trips to Jordan and Iraq. ADI works with Congress in development of legislation to promote agricultural extension work in Afghanistan and assists the DOD in locating agricultural specialists for work in Afghanistan. ADI's work in El Salvador continues. 

2005

In 2005, the government of El Salvador extends ADI's contract and approves a threefold expansion of the nationwide study in agribusiness development. 

The principals of ADI are involved in day-to-day commercial production, supply and export of superior quality seed and and agricultural inputs into the international market. 

2004

In 2004, ADI is awarded a contract by the government of El Salvador to conduct a study to determine potential agribusiness opportunities for the country. 

2003

Development Alternatives, Inc (DAI) teamed with ADI and the agricultural program at Texas A & M University and was awarded the $37 million Agricultural Reconstruction and Development in Iraq Project (ARDI). ADI principals travel to Iraq to help determine seed and veterinary medical needs. Project plans include supplying $9.9 million in seed and other agricultural inputs. 

2001

In 2001, ADI competed successfully for tenders to again ship seed to Russia for the U.S Government. ADI was again on budget with the on time shipment of eleven thousand tons of seed to Russia. Multiple species were included.

2000

In 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requested of the principals of ADI an emergency shipment of wheat seed to Tajikistan. This project was completed on schedule and on budget. The USAID issued a letter indicating that the seed provided resulted in a 17% increase in production over traditionally planted varieties.

1999

In 1999, the principals of ADI were selected for a sole-source contract to procure and supply seed as a part of a one billion dollar food aid package to Russia. This resulted in the successful supply of over 14,000 tons of seed to Russia, successfully delivered on an emergency basis, the largest export of seed from the U.S. ever accomplished. ADI personnel participated in the project monitoring team and assisted in the required negotiations with Russia to permit the importation. The project was completed on time, under budget and resulted in the Foreign Agricultural Service presenting the ADI team the "Administrator's Special Award."

Key Personnel


Ken Wischkaemper

Mr. Wischkaemper serves as the Chief Executive Officer of ADI. Mr. Wischkaemper is active in agribusiness development including cattle and crop production and has been active in seed production, procurement and supply since 1974. An active member of the American Seed Trade Association, he has extensive experience in seed supply in North and South Africa, South America, Japan, Pakistan, China, Taiwan and Russia. He has been active in trade missions to Russia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, India, Moldova, and Zimbabwe. In addition, he is active with extensive efforts in row crop production, beef cattle production and oil and gas production. kenwischkaemper@agdevi.com

Bob Teweles 

Mr. Teweles serves as the Chief Operating Officer of ADI. For the past 45 years, Mr. Teweles has served in various roles in the seed industry, from hybrid seed broker to the purchasing of seed, evaluation of seed condition, and shipping and distribution of seed. He served as president of L. Teweles Seed Company, and founded Seed Genetics, Inc., a seed technology transfer company, and MayerSeed, a wholesale seed company that operates domestically and internationally. One of his responsibilities at MayerSeed was overseeing all aspects of providing seed to international governments and NGO relief projects. bobteweles@agdevi.com 

Larry Meyers 

Mr. Meyers serves as President of ADI. Mr. Meyers has been involved in U.S. farm legislation and policy development since 1972 in Washington, D.C. An eleven-year member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC), he has been active in agribusiness development in Texas and Russia. Mr. Meyers is also President of Meyers & Associates, a twelve-member agricultural and legislative consulting firm located in Washington, D.C. and serves on the board of directors for WashingtonFirst Bank in Washington, D.C.. larrymeyers@agdevi.com 

Ryan Bathrick 

Mr. Bathrick serves as Director of El Programa de Fortalecimiento de la Competitividad de los Agronegocios (PFCA), an agribusiness competitiveness project in El Salvador funded by the Salvadoran government and implemented by ADI with the technical support of Texas A&M University. Prior to receiving a Master of Agribusiness from Texas A&M University, he obtained degrees in Psychology and English from James Madison University. In addition to working in diverse agriculture-related projects in El Salvador, he has experience working in Peru and Indonesia. Languages: English, Spanish (fluent), Bahassa Indonesia (Beginner). ryan.bathrick@agdevi.com 

Irina Kolontay 

Ms. Kolontay joined ADI in 2002. Prior to joining the firm, she served as an electronic banking representative for an online banking company in Northern Virginia. She is originally from Belarus, a former Soviet Republic. She received a B.S. in Computer Science with emphasis in Business from West Texas A&M University. Languages: English, Russian, Belarusian. irinakolontay@agdevi.com 

Dustin Bryant 

Mr. Bryant joined ADI in 2007. Mr. Bryant serves as liaison to the Agriculture Program of the Texas A&M University System. He has a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Development and earned a Certificate in International Agricultural Trade from Texas A&M University. Mr. Bryant worked with programs with emphasis on Food for Peace, Food for Progress and 416(b) with a focus on Tunisa. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Bryant served as Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15). In addition to his service with the Congressman, Mr. Bryant has had experience in Europe and Northern Africa. dustinbryant@agdevi.com 

Edwin Price 

Dr. Price has served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Agriculture for the A&M System for nine years. In this capacity, he has overseen projects which have developed small agricultural businesses, formal and informal agribusiness training programs, and the development of agricultural extension networks in Indonesia, Mali, Turkmenistan, Russia, Armenia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition he has led development efforts in Iraq, planning sessions and on-the-ground surveys in Afghanistan. He serves on the Board of Directors for the West African Rice Development Association and for the Global Livestock Cooperative Research Support Program. He previously developed international programs for Oregon State University and served ten years as an agricultural economist at the International Rice Research Institute. Dr. Price serves as a Senior Consultant for ADI and is our liaison to the agricultural program at Texas A&M University. edwinprice@agdevi.com