Evaluation at FAO

Evaluating FAO’s seeds programming

© FAO / Hashim Azizi
Seeds are a central component of FAO’s programming. A preliminary analysis of FAO’s portfolio of projects implemented between 2019–2024 shows that projects with seeds-related interventions accounted for around 30 percent of FAO’s budget and constituted roughly 10 percent of all projects. In 2023, procurement data underscored seeds’ centrality in FAO’s responses to crises, as seeds were the most purchased and distributed agricultural asset across FAO emergency projects as measured by value in USD.

 

The evaluation will consider programs that aim to improve availability, access, and/or affordability of quality seeds, including through: 

Provision of seeds directly to farmers, often with complementary capacity building (such as through farmer field schools) and/or other inputs such as tools and fertilizers. 

Interventions to influence demand for or supply of quality seed, including providing vouchers rather than in-kind seed and/or engaging with actors in the seed supply chain.

Policy support and capacity strengthening to help government and parastatal actors engage in issues such as targets and/or regulation for domestic seed production and allowable imports of seeds, seed pricing, seed quality requirements including for seed aid programs.

The evaluation will not include policy dialogue at the global level but rather will focus on FAO's support to Members in country.

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