Background Materials

7 August 2002, financialexpress.com	Monsanto India emerges as a winner at Lakshya Monsanto India walked away with a trophy for a rural marketing project at the Lakshya event organized at the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai. The project educated the small to marginal farmer segment on technological advances especially with regard to the maize crop and was conducted in Udaipur district in Rajasthan. Farmers were also encouraged to share the knowledge with others back home through the 'Humsafar' programme. L&T with a project called 'Leadership Challlenge at L & T' and Radha Krishna Hospitality Services (RKHS) for 'A Holistic Approach to Human Resource Development' were the other two proud winners of the event.
26 July 2002, blonnet.com	Monsanto shapes the future of the schools with tech-based learning Fifteen schools in Hyderabad will soon be experiencing tech-enabled learning thanks to Monsanto India which has taken a philanthropic approach of granting $50,000 to the Schoolnet Foundation. Schoolnet, which is currently aiding 100 schools, Govt. as well as less empowered is an educational initiative of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). Mr Alok Bhargava, Executive Director (Finance), Schoolnet Foundation, believes that the fund is a start for shaping the 15 municipal and Government Telugu schools into models, to show that technology can be used to upgrade education, regardless of language.
8 April 2002, financialexpress.com	Private Sector Initiates Steps To Modernise Farming Private sector is actively taking part in supporting the modernisation of agricultural practices. It is providing services to the agriculture sector, for the transfer of technology, input testing facilities and consultancy services. Corporates seem to have realised the potential in the agriculture sector. Companies like the Tatas, HLL, ITC, Mahindras, Nagarjuna group and others are the new entrants in contract farming system. These corporates are setting up Krushi Vihars, e-choupals and call centres in different regions for providing services. Monsanto Holdings Pvt Ltd has set up a helpline for farmers called Monsanto Meekosam in Andhra Pradesh. Other companies like Tatas and ITC are making a similar effort in providing services.
8 April 2002, economictimes.com	Mahyco Monsanto to create Bt awareness Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech is planning to launch an education and training programme for educating cotton farmers and distributors. Farmers and distributors will get an insight on Bt cotton cultivation and distribution. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has given a green signal for marketing of three hybrid varieties of Bt cotton. Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech, joint venture between Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company and Monsanto Holdings is eagerly waiting to get started on the project. Ranjana Smetacek, Director, Government & Public Affairs, Monsanto Holdings is positive that Bt cotton yield would be 30-40 per cent higher than non-Bt cotton.