b'Nyon, Switzerland - December 2020HOW THE PRIVATE SEED SECTOR CONTRIBUTESIn discussing how the seed sector can best contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we, the signatories of this Declaration:RECOGNISE that food systems must become more equitable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly; and thatwhether we engage as individual players or as a sectorour most salient contributions are likely to betowardstheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoalsonpoverty,hunger,economicgrowth, climate action, biodiversity, responsible consumption and production, and partnerships;SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhereNOTEthattheimmensetaskofendingNOTE that quality seeds help alleviate poverty by boosting povertynecessarilyrequiressupportforyieldsandyieldsecurity,allowingsmallholderfarmersto smallholderfarmers,whobetter nourish themselves and to obtain in-representasmuchastwoQUALITY SEEDScome;thirdsof Africanand AsianBOOST SMALLHOLDER populations; FARMERSYIELDS AND INCOMESDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agricultureNOTE that the UNs 2020 State of FoodNOTE that throughout its history the seed sector has con-SecurityandNutritionintributed to increased yields, for example in the World report shows the THROUGHOUT ITSthe European Union, where improved seeds number of hungry peopleHISTORY THE SEEDboosted crop productivity for nine core arable hasbeengrowingslow- SECTOR HAScrops by an average of 20 percent in 15 years, lybutconsistentlysinceCONTRIBUTED TO CROPor in Africa, where new maize varieties yield 2014, and that, unless ac- PRODUCTIVITY 20 to 30 percent more than other varieties to tionistaken,morethanthe benefit of 30 to 40 million people;840 million people could be undernourished by 2030, not toACKNOWLEDGE that the world will need to produce and mention those who suffer malnutrition through the lack ofconsume more protein sources, such as wholegrains, legumes, essential vitamins and minerals; nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits; that the seed sector will need NOTEthat,oncurrenttrends,theworldmustproduceto help identify these sources, the so-called orphan crops; 50 percent more food by 2050; that crop yields must thereforeand that it will need to improve these varieties, too;increase at higher than historical rates; and that this increased production must not come from deforestation or any other expansion of agricultural land;SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for allNOTE that in large areas of the world, agri- improved yields, resistance, resilience, adaptability and crop culture is the most size- knowledge; but that only 10 percent of the able source of jobs andTHE SEED SECTOR IS A worlds smallholder farmers access quality livelihoods,andthatSIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL SOURCEseeds;thisisespeciallytrueOF INCREASED INCOME FORASSERT that therefore the seed sector has for the most vulnerableRURAL POPULATIONS a significant role to play in the promotion and excluded sectors ofof sustained, inclusive and sustainable eco-society, including the poor, women, and ru- nomic growth for some of the worlds most marginalised pop-ral populations; ulations, including decent work;NOTE that, for many of these farmers, the seed sector remains a significant potential source of increased income through ISF, Chemin du Reposoir 5-7, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland, T +41 22 365 4420, F +41 22 365 4421, isf@worldseed.org, http://www.worldseed.orgspecial 4 pager.indd 53 2021-06-08 8:19 AM'