Monsanto's 2011 CSR and Sustainability Report Released

Monsanto has released its 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report. The report outlines the progress the company has made, and the opportunities and challenges it faces in supporting the needs of large and small farmers around the world. Monsanto aims to support these farmers as they work to produce more out of each acre of cultivated farm land in a sustainable manner.

The report outlines how the company is engaging with various partners to rise to the challenges of growing enough food to meet the requirements of an estimated nine billion human beings will inhabit the planet by 2050.

It includes information on goals to double the yields of key crops such as corn, soybean, canola and cotton by 2030, over a base year of 2000. Monsanto is also working with industry partners and through cross-sector associations to come up with solutions to make agriculture more sustainable as well as more productive.

The environmental impact of agriculture is a key focus. The report talks about ithe company's new alliance with the University of Florida to create a new model for a more accurate prediction of corn growth in the context of climate change. It also points out Monsanto's efforts in helping farmers achieve a superior level of energy efficiency in farming and in the production of renewable energy.

Jerry Steiner, EVP of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, says: "This report is an opportunity for us to continue a dialogue with our stakeholders and transparently discuss how we are working year-over-year to improve as a company and better achieve our vision. We are extremely focused on our sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals. We are on an ongoing journey to achieve them working in collaboration with stakeholders both throughout and surrounding the agriculture food chain. This report highlights our continued commitment to CSR and sustainability in our business."

This year's report was produced in accordance with GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. In line with Monsanto's commitment to conserve more of the world's natural resources, the full contents of this year's report are available at: www.monsanto.com/sustainabilityreport.