Monsanto Company Donates Conventional Corn and Vegetable Seeds to Haitian Farmers to Help Address Food Security Needs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, May 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Haitian farmers, who otherwise may not have had sufficient seeds to plant this season in their earthquake-ravaged country, are receiving help from a unique public and private partnership to provide access to high-quality, conventional hybrid corn and vegetable seeds in time for this planting season.  

The Haitian Ministry of Agriculture approved a donation from U.S.-based Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) to Haitian farmers of $4 million worth of conventional hybrid corn and vegetable seeds to be made over the next 12 months in support of reconstruction efforts. The Ministry's involvement ensured the seed selected was appropriate for the growing conditions and farming practices in Haiti. The donated seeds include corn, cabbage, carrot, eggplant, melon, onion, tomato, spinach and watermelon.

The first shipment of more than 60 tons of conventional hybrid corn and vegetable seeds arrived in Haiti via air- and seaport last week through donated shipping, logistic and distribution services provided by Kuehne + Nagel and UPS.

"Kuehne + Nagel is pleased to lend its services to this important effort for the people of Haiti," said Tim Smith of Kuehne + Nagel Emergency and Relief Logistics. "We are providing no-cost freight forwarding, ocean transport and document preparation for Monsanto's corn seed."

"As part of our ongoing efforts to support recovery efforts in Haiti, UPS is proud to donate our services to ship seed to Haiti as the country begins to move toward building a sustainable future," said Ken Sternad, President of The UPS Foundation. "We are dedicated to doing everything we can to get these and other life-saving supplies into the hands of Haiti's farmers and their families."

The initial seed shipment will be distributed to Haitian farmers by the WINNER project, a five-year program to increase farmer productivity funded by the United States Agency for International Development  (USAID). WINNER will provide the in-country expertise, technical services and other inputs, such as fertilizer, needed by farmers to manage the crops.

"Our goal is to reach 10,000 farmers this growing season with these seeds," said Jean Robert Estime, the director of the WINNER project. "The vegetables and grain these seeds will produce will help feed and provide economic opportunities for farmers, their families and the broader community. Agriculture is key to the long-term recovery."

The seeds are being provided free of charge by Monsanto. The WINNER project will distribute the seeds through farmer association stores to be sold at a significantly reduced price. The farmer stores will use the revenue to reinvest in other inputs to support farmers in the future. The farmer associations alone will receive revenue from the sales.  

Haiti's prime planting season occurs from mid-March through the end of May, and accounts for 60 percent of the country's agricultural production. According to the World Bank, nearly 2.4 million Haitians are still food-insecure following the January earthquake, and farming and agriculture will be critical to a long-term, sustainable recovery.

"As a company wholly-focused on agriculture, we understand the importance of supporting local farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to help with reconstruction in their country," said Jerry Steiner, executive vice president, Monsanto Company. "With high quality seeds, agronomic support and training, Haitian farmers will be able to grow nutritious and diversified foods for their families, communities and their economy."

A second shipment of 70 tons of hybrid, conventional corn seed, also donated by Monsanto, is en-route.  Further donation and distribution of up to an additional 345 tons of conventional hybrid corn seed is anticipated over the next 12 months.

The Monsanto Fund – the philanthropic arm of Monsanto – previously donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and has initiated a global program to match employee donations dollar-for-dollar. To date, Monsanto employees have contributed more than $100,000 to the program, raising a total of more than $200,000 for Haiti relief.

About Kuehne + Nagel

With approximately 55,000 employees at 900 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based supply chain management services.  Since the January earthquake in Haiti, Kuehne + Nagel has been extensively involved in supporting aid organizations (United Nations, Red Cross, U.S. government and non-government organizations) in their efforts to assist the Haitian people. For more information, visit www.kuehne-nagel.com.  

About The UPS Foundation

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major initiatives include programs that support community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2009, The UPS Foundation donated more than $43 million US to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement. To date, the UPS Foundation has donated more than $1 million to support Haiti relief efforts.

About WINNER

A five-year, multi-faceted program designed to comprehensively build Haiti's agricultural infrastructure, capacity, and productivity by providing concentrated and transformative support to Haitians in a large area north of Port-au-Prince. It is focused on building and strengthening Haiti's agricultural foundation, particularly in the areas of Cul-de-Sac, Cabaret, Mirebalais, Arcahaie and Gonaives and is backed by $126 million in funding from the U.S. Government over the next five years. Find out more at www.winner.ht.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: www.monsanto.com.  Follow our business on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed .

Contact:  Darren Wallis (314-694-5674)

SOURCE Monsanto Company