NASECO

Diverse portfolio
The company offers four or more varieties for all crops in its portfolio in Uganda and offers both hybrids and OPVs for some crops in its regional portfolio.

No relevant disclosure was found for the company in the governance and strategy measurement area.

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.

Plant breeding activities in index regions and local participation in breeding/variety development
NASECO has its own breeding programme in Uganda and develops improved varieties of maize suitable for smallholder farmers in the index region. However, the company does not disclose whether it invests in the capacity building of local research staff in the index region, or whether it uses feedback from local consumers, traders and smallholder farmers to inform its breeding programme.

Seed production activities in index region
NASECO has seed production locations in Uganda, where it involves farmer cooperatives and local farmers. The company indicates that it has an innovative yield potential programme, which includes a production planning tool that was developed to give professional seed farmers, suppliers and local village farmers an opportunity to increase yields.

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 both when seed production is carried out by the company itself or through an intermediary. Furthermore, the company does not disclose that it pays its workers a living wage or requires its intermediaries to do so.

Quality assurance and after-sales
The company has an opportunity to disclose information related to its quality assurance systems, procedures for monitoring its distribution network and ensuring that seeds are not sold beyond their shelf life and after-sales support programmes.

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

Maize
Rice
Soya bean
Groundnut
Beans, dry

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