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10 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM10 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM10 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM he Access to Seeds Index to be published at the end of 2015 seeks to identify how seed companies are supporting smallholder farmer productivity while encouraging them to enhance their roles and responsibilities towards smallholder farmers. Although representatives of the seed industry acknowledge the importance of seeds and genetic improvement for smallholder farmer productivity they also express some concerns about the initiative. The Access to Seeds Index was developed as an initiative to assess the extent to which the worlds leading seed companies use their knowledge technologies varieties and seed Success in agriculture for small farms requires more than enhanced access to seed varieties. to benefit smallholder farmers says Ido Verhagen executive director of the Access to Seeds Index. Smallholder farmers represent a yet untapped opportunity to meet global food security challenges. By improving access to quality seeds of appropriate varieties coupled with the right agronomic practices the seed industry can play a major role in unlocking this potential. Engagement of the private sector is high on the global sustainable development agenda Verhagen says. In its evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals the United Nations highlighted the importance of improved crop varieties that have enabled farmers in the advanced agricultural systems to triple their yields. Based on that it sees the seed industry as a crucial partner in addressing global food security challenges. I would say that is a big compliment. To bring this a step further it is essential to better understand the role seed companies can play. The Access to Seeds Index aims to clarify how seed companies are taking up their role and responsibility. Michael Keller secretary general of the International Seed Federation ISF says that the ISF recognizes the important role played by seeds and genetic improvements in the fight against hunger and poverty. Seed companies the world over work hard to provide farmers with high-quality COMPANY SEEDS FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS NEEDS By Marcel Bruins Presentation of the Access to Seeds Index to the Ministers Conference of the FAO on 18 June 2013. L to R Gerda Verburg John Atkin Roald Lapperre Clayton Campanhola Clement Kofi Humado Ido Verhagen. FAOGiulio Napolitano.