Cost effectiveness
GiveWell places New Seed at 3–8x the cost-effectiveness of cash transfers.
According to our cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA):
$1 invested today generates $6 in impact
By 2030, $1 will generate $50 in impact as adoption systems scale
With gene editing and national mandates, biofortification could become one of the most cost-effective global health interventions ever
Nutrition Evidence
Studies show biofortified maize improves nutrition and health outcomes:
- Chomba et al., 2015: Zinc from biofortified maize is as absorbable as zinc from fortified flour; nutrients remain stable after milling and tortilla preparation.
- Gunaratna et al., 2008: Meta-analyses show Quality Protein Maize improves child growth indicators (HAZ, WAZ).
- INCAP, 2021: Diet recalls indicate that farming households consuming biofortified maize meet most of their daily zinc requirements.
- Cornell & INCAP, 2024: High-zinc maize improved zinc biomarkers in women and children compared to conventional maize.
How We Model Our Impact
+39% Zinc
+18-20% Iron
+30-80% Better Protein
50,000 farmers grew enough corn to feed 1 million people
50,000 farmers grew enough corn to feed 1 million people
50,000 farmers grew enough corn to feed 1 million people
1. Measure Nutrients in the Grain
Our in-house laboratory tests iron, zinc, and protein quality levels in our biofortified maize.
2. Measure What Households Eat
Annual diet surveys quantify maize intake by gender and age group, as well as the share of total consumption replaced by biofortified maize.
3. Estimate Daily Nutrient Intake
By combining grain nutrient levels with average intake volumes and data on bioavailability, we can estimate the amount of extra zinc/iron each consumer absorbs.
4. Translate Intake Gains into Health Outcomes
Evidence from third-party studies allows us to estimate reductions in deficiencies and stunting.
5. Scale to National Impact
Based on existing evidence and national datasets, we’ve developed an interactive impact model to predict how varying adoption levels of biofortified maize lower chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies across the country.
Monitoring & Evaluation Methodology
Annual Farmer Surveys
Nationally representative surveys of 1,000–2,000 households each season capture:
- Seed adoption
- Yields and production costs
- Diet and maize consumption
Sales and income
Side-by-Side Trials
One hundred farmers plant biofortified maize alongside their preferred seed under identical management. We measure:
- Germination rates
- Losses avoided under drought, pests, and storms
- Total yield differences
Because both seeds face the same weather, soil, and management, any difference reflects genetics—not farmer behavior.
Medios de Vida
Cheaper Seeds
Subsidies cut seed costs in half—our biofortified seed costs farmers $20 vs. $40 for comparable hybrids.
Higher Farm Income
Our target farmers earn $103–$195 more per harvest, delivering a 5–10x ROI for those who purchased biofortified seeds
Long Term Impact
Every $1 invested in Semilla Nueva generates $6 in economic and health benefits through better diets and higher productivity.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Farmers using our seeds experienced:
- 18% less rot
- 36% less lodging (plants falling over)
- 31% higher yields
Under extreme conditions:
- +300% income in high winds
- +525% income in drought