SEMINIS INC
EXHIBIT 10.16
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.16
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>v89958exv10w16.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.16
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

THIS INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IS ENTERED BY AND BETWEEN SVS MEXICANA,
S.A. DE C.V. ("SVS MEXICANA") AND MR. ALFONSO CARLOS ROMO GARZA ("EMPLOYEE"),
ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CLAUSES:


                               IN WITNESS HEREOF:

1.       SVS MEXICANA

         a)       WHEREAS, SVS MEXICANA is a corporation duly established under
                  the Mexican laws.

         b)       WHEREAS, SVS MEXICANA is based in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

         c)       WHEREAS, SVS MEXICANA is represented by Mr. Alberto Medina
                  Mora Escalante.

         d)       WHEREAS, Mr. Mora has the legal capacity to enter this
                  Contract.


2.       EMPLOYEE

         a)       WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE is a Mexican national.

         b)       WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE is 49 years of age.

         c)       WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE is married.

         d)       WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE'S primary domicile is Callejon de los Ayala
                  No. 1325, Col. Del Valle, Garza Garcia, N.L., Mexico.

         e)       WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE he has the capacity and knowledge to perform
                  the job as described below:


THEREFORE, in consideration to the premises and the mutual covenant and
conditions contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                     CLAUSES

FIRST: EMPLOYEE will render his personal services to SVS MEXICANA as Chief
Executive Officer under the direction, subordination, and dependence of its
representatives.

SECOND: The duration of this contract shall be undetermined.

THIRD: EMPLOYEE shall render his services during the working hours as requested
by SVS MEXICANA and according with the functions of his position in the company.

FOURTH: The monthly salary EMPLOYEE shall receive for his services is in the
amount of $66,666.67 United States of America Dollars, which shall be paid on
the days 15th and 30th of

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each month according to the exchange rate on that particular date. This salary
includes all the benefits provided by SVS MEXICANA to its employees such as
retirement plan, grocery coupons, vacation bonus, year-end bonus, and any other
benefits.

FIFTH: EMPLOYEE will be allowed to take vacation time according to the time he
had performed his duties and according to the vacations policies, which shall
not be less than the vacation time required by law.

SIXTH: EMPLOYEE will not work during the official holidays according to the
"Work Schedule", which are more than required by law.

SEVENTH: EMPLOYEE will be required to take all the necessary medical
examinations to prove he does not suffer from any contagious or incurable
disease prior to his hire date or during the time of this contract. Such medical
examinations will be determined by SVS MEXICANA.

EIGHTH: For legal purposes, as well as law requirements, SVS MEXICANA shall
recognize EMPLOYEE'S hire date as November 15, 1999.

NINTH: EMPLOYEE shall perform his duties on time. In regard to his superiors and
other people assigned to represent SVS MEXICANA, EMPLOYEE shall conduct himself
with good manners, showing good faith in his actions, following the rules,
policies, manuals, and any other dispositions and ordinances established by SVS
MEXICANA.

TENTH: SVS MEXICANA has established training programs in compliance with the
Federal Labor Law, which EMPLOYEE will take as necessary and according to the
nature of his services.

ELEVENTH: Both parties agree that if EMPLOYEE should have to be removed or
relocated to another position, or his compensation should be increased as
described in the above clause, all clauses not affected by such change shall
remain in force.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on Guadalajara,
Jalisco, on the 15th of November 1999

"SVS Mexicana, S.A. De C.V."                  "Employee"


/s/ Alberto Medina Mora Escalante             /s/ Alfonso Carlos Romo Garza
---------------------------------             -----------------------------

THIS DOCUMENT IS TRANSLATED FROM A DOCUMENT IN SPANISH. THE ORIGINAL SPANISH
DOCUMENT WILL GOVERN IF THERE IS ANY DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE TRANSLATED VERSION
AND THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IN SPANISH.


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