A.

Governance and Strategy

This measurement area evaluates whether companies have strategies in place to contribute to smallholder productivity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights the way in which companies include smallholder farmers in their core business strategies by assessing the governance structures, targets, budgets and programs in place to do so. More broadly, the measurement area aims to identify the extent to which companies are dedicated to achieving the targets set out in the SDGs.

SDGs
The SDG framework comprises 17 goals with 169 targets aimed at mobilizing companies to invest in sustainable development. For example, seed companies can contribute to achieving specific goals such as zero hunger (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), climate action (SDG 13) and life on land (SDG 15).

Access to seeds for smallholder farmers
Seed companies can contribute to enhancing smallholder farmer productivity in a sustainable way by increasing their access to knowledge, technologies, varieties and seeds. A clear commitment and strategy articulates how companies will contribute based on their portfolios, assets and capabilities.

Governance and accountability
Clearly formulated goals and targets within company governance structures improve implementation and assessment. Introducing incentives and assigning responsibility to the board or senior executives ensures that a company’s commitments to access to seeds are integrated into its business practices.

Support for an enabling environment
Building an enabling environment that supports access to seeds is essentially a government’s responsibility. However, companies can contribute to this, for instance through their lobbying activities or active participation in local seed trade associations. Companies can also help to advance local seed sectors, acknowledging the role of local actors, farmer cooperatives and the informal seed sector.

A.I Commitment
A.I.1 SDGs

The company has a policy statement that articulates a commitment and strategy to incorporate the SDGs into its business practices, or formulates in general terms how it aims to contribute to global food and nutrition security.

A.I.2 Access to Seeds for Smallholder Farmers

The company has a policy statement that articulates a commitment and strategy to contribute to improved access to seeds for smallholder farmers in index countries.

A.II Performance
A.II.1 Governance and Accountability

The company has assigned executive responsibility and incentivized management to implement and measure its programs and activities related to SDG targets and access to seeds for smallholder farmers in index countries.

A.II.2 Company Resources

The company has allocated resources to ensure a strategic and proactive approach to meeting the SDGs and access to seed targets in its core business.

A.II.3 Code of Business Conduct

The company has codes of business conduct in place that set internal standards on anti-corruption, lobby activities, social standards and biosafety.

A.II.4 Enabling Environment

The company actively contributes to building a supportive, enabling environment for access to seeds for smallholder farmers in index countries, for instance through its lobbying activities and in-kind support.

A.II.5 Local Seed Sector Advancement

The company has activities that help to advance the development of the seed sector in index countries, acknowledging the role of local actors, farmer cooperatives and the informal seed sector.

A.III Transparency
A.III.1 Transparency in Governance and Strategy

The company reports publicly on its policies, practices and results in this area.

A.IV Leadership
A.IV.1 Leadership in Governance and Strategy

The company has established innovative models or leading practices in this area.

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