The Methodology for the 2021 Access to Seeds Index

Quality seeds of improved varieties have enabled farmers in advanced agricultural systems to triple their yields. What is the seed industry, strategically placed at the start of the food value chain, doing to help smallholder farmers in food insecure regions to achieve similar results? The Access to Seeds Index aims to shine a light on this question.

In 2021, the index will benchmark 72 global, regional and national field crop and vegetable seed companies on their efforts to make their products available to smallholder farmers in three regions. Of these companies, 31 were selected in South and South-east Asia, 32 in Eastern and Southern Africa, and 37 in Western and Central Africa.

This report sets out the methodology. It outlines 32 indicators for examining and assessing companies’ activities across six measurement areas, matching company performance with stakeholder expectations.