Now available: methodology for the 2019 Access to Seeds Index
AgriCord supported the participation of Farmers’ Organisations in the development of the Access to Seeds Index methodology. The 2019 Index will assess the performance of seed companies in responding to smallholders’ needs in Western and Central Africa, Southern and Eastern Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia. More than 60 African, Asian and global seed companies will be evaluated on their efforts to support smallholder farmer productivity.
"The lion’s share of the seed used by smallholders in West Africa is currently produced by farmer cooperatives. This is often referred to as the informal sector. But that ignores the fact that many of these cooperatives or farmer networks are formally recognized by the authorities and produce good quality seeds. The crop portfolio of these cooperatives also makes them relevant, they produce seeds for many local crops that are important for food security but are not often found in the portfolio of seed companies."
Methodology for the Access to Seeds Index 2019 is available at this link