access to seeds

This Oxfam research report finds that 60% of the 126 LMIC countries for which data was available allow for the patenting of plants or parts thereof, despite the flexibilities of the WTO TRIPS Agreement regarding the non-patentability of plants. Oxfam is concerned that the growing number and scope of patents on plants, plant parts and DNA sequences will threaten Food and Nutrition Security by blocking the free availability of these materials for further breeding and re-planting by all stakeholders. »

This publication of the Access to Seeds Index 2019 presents an overall ranking of 13 leading global seed companies. The results show that the global seed industry is adapting their seeds to combat the impact of climate change. However, a lack of access to quality seeds in many emerging economies persists, as global companies reach just 10% of the world’s smallholder farmers. »

The Access to Seeds Index evaluates the performance of the seed industry in taking the lead in reaching smallholder farmers in South and Southeast Asia. The index shows that the seed industry is present in all countries, but reaches only 20% of the smallholder farmers. It is highly research-driven, releasing new varieties for a broad variety of crops. »

This report evaluated seed-producing cooperatives across Western and Central Africa to explore whether farmer-led cooperatives can play a role delivering new varieties of seeds into the hands of farmers. Seed-producing cooperatives are increasingly being formally recognized as producers of certified seed.  »

This toolkit elaborates the challenge for seed sector development on how to address both the informal and formal seed systems so that farmers have access to a sustainable supply of quality seed of improved crop varieties.  »

This study analyzes household and farm-level characteristics that may predict chronic seed insecurity in semi-arid eastern Kenya. Results suggest that mild chronic seed insecurity continues to be a problem in most households, hampering their ability to produce food. »