Sakata - Access to seeds

Sakata
Corporate Data
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan
Ownership type: Listed
Group revenue (2014): USD 529,815,790
10
Global Index –
Vegetable Seed Companies
Despite having a presence in all Index
regions, Sakata ranks tenth and last in
the Global Index of Vegetable Seed
rank out of 10
Companies, underperforming in
score 0.48
all seven measurement areas. Its
ranking reflects its weak disclosure
of commitments and activities related
to access to seeds and an overall lack of transparency.
Nevertheless, the company has put in place some
programs that have the potential to positively impact
access to seeds for smallholder farmers, especially where
R&D and quality management systems are concerned.
Sakata Seed Corporation (Sakata), together with its subsidiaries, sells
horticultural products and materials in Asia, North, Central and South
America, Europe, and the Near and Middle East. The company breeds,
produces, procures and wholesales vegetable, flower and grass seeds,
flower bulbs, vegetable and flower seedlings, and agricultural and
horticultural products and services, including for the hobby gardening
market. The company was founded in 1913.
Commitment
Performance
Transparency
Innovation
0.27
0.65
0.60
0.00
AGovernance &
Strategy
0.00
0.88
B Public Policy &
Stakeholder Engagement
CGenetic Resources &
Intellectual Property
0.71
DResearch &
Development
0.69
0.55
EMarketing &
Sales
FCapacity
Building
0.00
GLocal Seed Sector
Advancement
0.00
012345
Leading Practices
Areas for Improvement
nNo leading practices were identified.
n
Sakata has an extensive global presence, but
it is unclear whether this is leveraged for the
benefit of smallholder farmers. The company is
therefore encouraged to use its country presence
to positively impact access to seeds.
nThe company could enhance the disclosure and
transparency of its activities related to access to
seeds for smallholder farmers, and develop formal
commitments or policies to guide these activities.
Access to Seeds Index 2016
Operations in Scope
South and
Southeast Asia
(SSEA)
Latin America
(LA)
Countries in scope
Company presence
Production locations
Breeding station/R&D
Western Africa
(WA)
Eastern
Africa (EA)
Index Vegetable Crops in Portfolio
Notable Findings
Broccoli
nIn South Africa, Sakata cooperates with the
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Lettuce
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pumpkin
Spinach
Squash
Sweet pepper
Tomato
Turnip
Watermelon
Access to Seeds Index 2016
Japanese International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) in a project encouraging smallholder
farmer autonomy. Although outside the Index’s
geographic scope, the project is an indication
of some level of commitment on Sakata’s part to
support smallholder farmers.