May 19, 2010 – On Jan. 12 of this year, a massive earthquake
hit Haiti, impacting millions of residents and changing the nation
forever.
Following the disaster, Monsanto donated money to the recovery, but it
was
clear a donation of the company’s products – quality corn and vegetable
seeds –
could really make a difference in the lives of Haitians.
May 19, 2010 – On Jan. 12 of this year, a massive earthquake
hit Haiti, impacting millions of residents and changing the nation forever.
Following the disaster, Monsanto donated money to the recovery, but it was
clear a donation of the company’s products – quality corn and vegetable seeds –
could really make a difference in the lives of Haitians.
“We believe agriculture is key in the long-term recovery of
Haiti,” said the company. “That’s why we’ve donated more than $4 million worth
of conventional corn and vegetable seeds to be made over the next 12 months in
support of reconstruction efforts.”
The donated seeds include corn, cabbage, carrot, eggplant,
melon, onion, tomato, spinach and watermelon.
The Haitian Ministry of Agriculture approved the donation and
ensured the seed selected was appropriate for the growing conditions and farmer
practices in Haiti.
Monsanto has partnered with Kuehne + Nagel, the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) and UPS with this donation. Here’s
how it’s going to work:
• The first shipment of more than 60 tons of hybrid corn and
vegetable seeds arrived in Haiti the first week of May through donated
shipping, logistic and distribution services provided by Kuehne + Nagel and
UPS.
• The initial seed shipment will be distributed to Haitian
farmers by the WINNER project, a five-year program to increase farmer
productivity funded by USAID. WINNER will also provide the in-country
expertise, technical services and other inputs, such as fertilizer, needed by
farmers to manage the crops.
• A second shipment of 70 tons of hybrid, conventional corn
seed, also donated by Monsanto, is on its way. Further donation and
distribution of up to an additional 345 tons of conventional hybrid corn seed
is anticipated over the next 12 months.
Print this page
