A policy guide from the FAO, titled "Promoting the Growth and Development of Smallholder Seed Enterprises for Food Security Crops," describes lessons learned from case studies of smallholder seed enterprises in Brazil, India and Cote d'Ivoire.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economies of developing countries and the source of livelihood for the majority of their populations. In view of this, it is considered crucial that the performance of agriculture should ensure food security and provide a strong economic base.