Enza Zaden

Stakeholder engagement
Enza Zaden engages with organisations such as the International Seed Federation (ISF), as well as with other seed companies on topics such as intellectual property rights. However, the company can disclose how it identifies its most relevant stakeholders.

The company provides limited insight into its position and activities related to genetic resources and intellectual property management. As it is important that seed companies contribute to genetic resources and intellectual property management that supports smallholder agriculture, the company could provide more insights into its activities for others to learn from.

No relevant disclosure was found for the company in the research and development measurement area.

Seed production activities in index region
The company does not disclose having seed production locations in the region. It has the opportunity to introduce seed production locations in the region and engage with local seed companies and farmer organisations, respecting social and labour rights of workers. This would contribute to the transfer of advanced technologies and strengthen both local expertise and a sustainable business climate.

Quality and safety of varieties
Enza Zaden adheres to seed quality and health protocols of the Naktuinbouw Authorized Laboratories (NAL), the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture, which is based in part on International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards. To improve in this area, the company can disclose information on its protocols for variety introduction when launching new varieties in index countries.

Diverse portfolio
The company can increase its disclosure regarding the number of varieties and seed types offered per crop in index countries in the region.

No relevant disclosure was found for the company in the capacity building measurement area.

Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Gourd
Green bean
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pepper (hot)
Pepper (sweet)
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
Watermelon

Download the portfolios of all companies in the 2021 index for Western and Central Africa here.

Developing improved varieties of local crops and plant breeding activities in index regions
The company has its own breeding programme in South Africa and develops improved varieties of global vegetable crops with traits particularly important for smallholder farmers, such as resistance to biotic stress and improved shelf life. The company could disclose more information on how it informs its breeding programme with feedback from local farmers, consumers and other stakeholders in index countries, particularly regarding how it incorporates the feedback of women farmers.

Seed production activities in index region
The company has seed production activities in Tanzania and South Africa and outlines that various seed crops are produced by third-party, partner companies. Seeds produced by these companies are packaged and distributed directly to local and international customers or shipped to Enza Zaden in the Netherlands.

Stakeholder engagement
Enza Zaden engages with organisations such as the International Seed Federation (ISF), as well as with other seed companies on topics such as intellectual property rights. However, the company can disclose how it identifies its most relevant stakeholders.

The company provides limited insight into its position and activities related to genetic resources and intellectual property management. As it is important that seed companies contribute to genetic resources and intellectual property management that supports smallholder agriculture, the company could provide more insights into its activities for others to learn from.

Variety testing
The company conducts variety testing on crops from its own breeding programmes and portfolio but could disclose more information on such trials, including in which index countries they take place.

Quality management in seed production in index countries
The company’s seed production is authorised by Naktuinbouw Authorized Field Inspections (NAFI), a system that authorises seed companies to monitor seed production. This system focuses primarily on meeting requirements in the areas of identity, quality, and health, applied to both the inspector and the method of inspection. Through the NAFI authorisation, the company’s production specialists can inspect the company’s crops, assess them and guarantee their quality. However, the company can disclose how much of its seed production is covered by its quality management system.

Social and labour rights in seed production
The company does not disclose a policy committing to prohibit child and forced labour nor does it disclose a commitment to respect the health and safety of workers, either when seed production is carried out by the company itself or through an intermediary. Furthermore, the company does not disclose whether it pays its workers a living wage or requires its intermediaries to do so.

Quality and safety of varieties
Enza Zaden adheres to seed quality and health protocols of the Naktuinbouw Authorized Laboratories (NAL), the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture, which is based in part on International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards. However, the company can disclose information on its protocols for variety introduction when launching new varieties in index countries.

Diverse portfolio
The company offers four or more varieties for the majority of crops in its portfolio in South Africa. However, it can increase disclosure on the number of varieties offered per crop in other index countries where it has sales.

Extension services
Enza Zaden supports Fair Planet, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to increase food security and provide new economic opportunities for smallholder farmers in developing countries in Ethiopia. Through the NGO, smallholder farmers receive advice and training in order to boost their yields through the use of better-quality seeds. The company has an opportunity to provide extension services to other index countries in the region and to track the number of smallholder farmers reached through its capacity building activities.

Programmes for women farmers and next-generation farmers
The company provides extension services in the region but can expand its programmes to target women and next-generation farmers.

Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Gourd
Green bean
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pepper (hot)
Pepper (sweet)
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
Watermelon

Download the portfolios of all companies in the 2021 index for Eastern and Southern Africa here.

Developing improved varieties of global crops
Enza Zaden has its own breeding programmes in both India and Indonesia. The company develops hybrid varieties of global vegetable crops suitable for smallholder farmers in the index region and has a breeding programme for the local crop of yardlong bean. In Indonesia, the company breeds through its joint venture with East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO).

Stakeholder engagement
Enza Zaden engages with organisations such as the International Seed Federation (ISF) and the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA), as well as with other seed companies on topics such as intellectual property rights. However, the company can disclose how it identifies its most relevant stakeholders.

The company provides limited insight into its position and activities related to genetic resources and intellectual property management. As it is important that seed companies contribute to genetic resources and intellectual property management that supports smallholder agriculture, the company could provide more insights into its activities for others to learn from.

Local participation in breeding/variety development
The company could disclose more information on how it informs its breeding programme with feedback from local consumers, traders and smallholder farmers, and specifically, how it incorporates the feedback and preferences of women farmers in the region.

Breeding programme for specific traits
The company’s breeding programme includes the development of certain traits particularly important for smallholder farmers, such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stress and improved shelf life. However, the company could disclose whether it develops varieties with resistance and tolerance to regionally important pests and diseases.

Seed production activities in index region
Enza Zaden has seed production locations in India and Indonesia, but it has an opportunity to provide information on whether it involves local players in its seed production activities.

Quality management in seed production in index countries
The company’s seed production is authorised by Naktuinbouw Authorized Field Inspections (NAFI), a system that authorises seed companies to monitor seed production. This system focuses primarily on meeting requirements in the areas of identity, quality and health, applied to both the inspector and the method of inspection. Through the NAFI authorisation, the company’s production specialists can inspect the company’s crops, assess them and guarantee their quality. However, the company can disclose how much of its seed production is covered by its quality management system.

Social and labour rights in seed production
The company does not disclose a policy committing to prohibit child and forced labour nor does it disclose a commitment to respect the health and safety of workers, either when seed production is carried out by the company itself or through an intermediary. Furthermore, the company does not disclose whether it pays its workers a living wage or requires its intermediaries to do so.

Distribution channels
Enza Zaden has distribution channels in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The company has an opportunity to disclose whether it services remote areas in these index countries.

Quality assurance and after-sales
Enza Zaden adheres to seed quality and health protocols of the Naktuinbouw Authorized Laboratories (NAL), the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture, which is based in part on International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards. However, the company can disclose information on its protocols for monitoring its distribution network, preventing the sale of expired and counterfeit seeds and providing after-sales support.

Extension services
The company provides training and assistance to farmers through their support of the Yayasan Foundation in Indonesia. The organisation provides help to smallholder farmers in the country, particularly in the remote lowland regions where the growing conditions are more difficult. Enza Zaden has an opportunity to expand its extension services to other countries in the region.

Information and communications technology (ICT) and access to output markets
The company has an opportunity to offer programmes to advance the use of ICT by smallholder farmers and to improve their access to output markets.

Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Gourd
Green bean
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pepper (hot)
Pepper (sweet)
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
Watermelon

Download the portfolios of all companies in the 2021 index for South and South-East Asia here.