U.S. Company Donates Maize Seed to Farmers in Malawi

By Charles W. Corey, Washington File

Monsanto's contribution expected to feed more than 1 million people

The U.S. chemical and agricultural company Monsanto is to donate 700 metric tons of quality hybrid maize seeds to needy farmers in Malawi. When properly planted and managed, the seeds are expected to feed more than 1 million hungry people for a year.

In a press release, the Monsanto Company valued the donation at $840,000 and said that it is part of an integrated plan in which the seeds will be distributed through the Malawian government and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Alan Eastham praised the U.S. company for its donation. "Monsanto has long been an important partner in the agricultural sector in Malawi," Eastham said. "The donation of hybrid seed to local farmers will potentially have a significant impact on the quality of next year's harvest and represents the best tradition of socially responsible giving by the U.S. private sector."

The 700 metric tons of white quality hybrid maize seeds, available in 5-kilogram (11-pound) bags, could reach as many as 140,000 Malawian farm families, the release noted.

Maize, known as corn in the United States, is the staple food in most southern African countries, accounting for more than one-third of calorie consumption in recent years. Maize also ranks among the world's major grain crops and dominates American agriculture. In 2004, close to 33 million hectares of maize were planted worldwide, with a production value of more than $23 billion. Maize also is converted to a range of processed food products and is an important material for industrial purposes and products, including rubber, plastics, fuel and clothing.

Since 2002, Malawi has continued to experience chronic food shortages due to drought, poverty and low crop yields. In 2005 alone, according to the Monsanto release, an estimated 5 million people are in dire need of food aid, and the Malawian government, the donor community and NGOs are working to avert a crisis.

Monsanto's initiative builds on existing programs driven by the Malawian government and local NGOs attempting to increase self-sufficiency at a local, family farm level. The Malawian government is already subsidizing fertilizer to raise production of food and, with the help of local NGOs, will ensure proper and prioritized distribution of the seeds.

"This generous donation comes at a critical time in Malawi," Malawian Minister of Agriculture Uladi Mussa said in the Monsanto press release announcing the donation.

"This access to quality hybrid maize seed complements very well our fertilizer subsidy program. Improved seeds, like hybrids and irrigation development, have shown for many decades to have greater yield potential, and this is a critical element of our plan to achieve food self-sufficiency in Malawi".

Antonio Valencia of Sasakawa Global 2000, which is involved in the promotion of conservation tillage in Malawi, said: "By enabling the local farmers to benefit from hybrid seed, Monsanto is helping the government of Malawi stop the cycle of poverty. Those farmers following the conservation tillage method with this seed will not require food aid nor inputs from government next year."

With conservation tillage, crops are grown with minimal cultivation of the soil, leaving a large percentage of the soil covered by crop residues, thus protecting the soil from erosion.

A representative of World Vision Malawi, one of seven members of the NGO consortium, said, "This donation is addressing both the short-term and the long-term needs of the people in Malawi, and fits very well with our programs in this country."

Monsanto previously donated $1 million, through the worldwide Monsanto Fund, to the World Food Program for the provision of emergency relief food aid to the poor and drought-affected population in Malawi and recently gave 120 metric tons of seed to the United Nations Development Program for the Millennium Development Goals villages program.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality worldwide.

See Also:
Malawi Farmers To Get Help Through World Bank Drought Insurance
Malawi Farmers Receive Seed, Fertilizer Assistance from U.S.
Monsanto Assists 140,000 Farmers In Malawi With Hybrid Seed

Source: U.S. Department of State

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