Index Insights Archives - Access to seeds

SDGs guide global seed companies; yet to adopt by regional companies

Lack of focus on women and next-generation farmers

Commercialization of GM varieties in index countries mainly domain of global companies

Child labor pervasive within Indian seed industry

Only 50% of seed companies involve smallholder farmers in seed production

Companies increasingly focus breeding on local crops but show little interest in nutritional value and legumes

Companies demonstrate diverse approaches toward agrobiodiversity

Breeding limited in scope in sub-Saharan Africa, more advanced in South and Southeast Asia

Regional companies deepen the industry’s reach

Majority of seed companies state not to limit farm-saved seeds practices

Sales and extension activities are concentrated in a handful of countries

Most companies have a diverse portfolio; several companies offer multiple legumes

Youngest varieties in portfolio regional companies are often older than 5 years; open-pollinated varieties dominate

Only half of the companies have breeding activities; no private sector breeding was found in 70% of the countries

Companies use diverse tactics to tackle counterfeit seed, a key barrier to smallholder adoption

Almost all companies provide extension services but mostly in their home or select markets

Breeding focus is primarily on maize, with limited availability of diversity in varieties of other crops

The industry offers a broad portfolio, tailored to the needs of smallholders

The seed industry is pushing for a workable way to improve access and benefit-sharing

Nutritional value is increasingly a breeding target but not yet a high priority

Breeding for climate-resilient varieties is increasing

The majority of global seed companies have formal commitments to the SDGs

Hybrid seed dominates company portfolios

Ten countries benefit most from investments in local seed business activities

Most seed companies sell package sizes tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers

Hybrids dominate; regional companies extend the availability of open-pollinated varieties

For the majority of crops, the newest varieties are less than three years old

Vegetable seed is a key business driver; legumes are underrepresented

Six countries are seed hubs; three countries lack breeding and production activities

The number of seed companies from outside the region and continent is on the rise

Companies are present in all index countries, but need to step up efforts to reach more smallholders

Growing company presence in Western and Central Africa, but still lagging behind other regions

Seed companies present throughout the region, reaching only 20% of the smallholders

Strong examples of seed producing cooperatives identified in four countries.

Cooperatives partner with research institutes to test, select and introduce new varieties

Seed-producing cooperatives work on a complementary crops

Opportunities exist to scale up partnerships with local gene banks in Eastern Africa

Global companies most active in Latin America

Regional index companies differ in their position on farm-saved seeds

Seed industry explores broad approach to facilitating access to seeds for smallholders

The seed industry reaches smallholders through its long tail

Smallholder farmers as partners in the seed value chain

Local crops are the domain of regional seed companies

Regional Index companies extend the reach of the seed industry in Eastern Africa

The global seed industry covers all Index regions, with a clear gap in Western Africa

Companies focus on capacity building activities in selected countries

Regional Seed Companies Diversify Industry’s Vegetable Seed Portfolio

Farmers identify six dimensions of Access to Seeds