Monsanto India Ltd. (MIL) announces its decision to sell and transfer its Butachlor and Alachlor businesses that includes the transfer of the flagship brands Machete®, Fastmix® and Lasso®, to Sinochem International (Overseas) Pte Ltd., a Singapore-registered subsidiary of Sinochem International, for and on behalf of the entity under incorporation in India, at a total consideration of USD 8.40 million (approx. Rs. 33 crores). The decision was taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on January 21, 2008 and is subject to the shareholder approval.

Leading the Butachlor category, the Machete brand is credited with establishing the rice herbicide market in India and is one of the most recognized herbicide brands in the industry.

Mr. Amitabh Jaipuria, Managing Director, Monsanto India Limited (MIL) said, "MIL is strategically focused on its two core businesses of hybrid corn seed and Roundup herbicide, which are key to long-term growth and value, both for our customers and shareholders. Hence, we have decided to divest our non-core Butachlor and Alachlor businesses."

Mr. Li Dajun, President of Agrochem business of Sinochem International said, "We are confident of the promise that the Butachlor and Alachlor businesses present, especially since we are acquiring category-leading, high-end brands which fit well into our overall agrochem strategy of expanding our selecthem herbicide business from China to neighboring Asian countries. Selecthem herbicide is one of our core businesses. As a leading player of branded pesticides in China, we are experienced in marketing, distributing, formulating and manufacturing of pesticides. We acquired Machete, Harness, Lasso and Machete Plus in mainland China at the end of 2003 and in three years have successfully increased the product on ground of Machete, Harness and Machete Plus by 13%, 40% and 300% respectively, and total sales of the four products by 20%."

Mr. Li added, "As a leading player in the international trade, we have many years' experience in global business cooperation and operation. Both India and China have large agricultural populations. It's our objective to use our experience to provide good crop care products and good service to farmers and the agricultural industry in India. We are committed on a long term basis to growing our business in India together with all our partners such as our customers, suppliers, distributors, and the existing opportunities India presents for our growth across South East Asia."

Monsanto India Ltd. (MIL) total turnover including sales of butachlor and alachlor for the year ended March 31, 2007 stood at Rs. 309.22 crores, while PAT stood at Rs. 70.53 crores. In the six-month period ended September 30, 2007, MIL recorded turnover of Rs. 248.92 crores, a growth of 13% over Sales of Rs. 219.68 crores in the corresponding period last year.

About SINOCHEM INTERNATIONAL

With customers from more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, SINOCHEM International Corporation ("SINOCHEM Intl") is a large Shanghai listed company engaged in logistics, industrial investment, trading and other operations in chemical logistics, rubber, chemicals, petrochemical, metallurgy and energy, etc. In 2006, the total sales revenue of the major operations of SINOCHEM International reached RMB 15.4 billion and its total assets over RMB 7.9 billion.

The controlling shareholder of SINOCHEM Intl, SINOCHEM CORPORATION (SINOCHEM) (formerly known as China National Chemicals Import & Export Co) was founded in 1950. As a key state-owned enterprise under the direct control of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, it is the earliest Chinese company to rank among Fortune 500 and has remained on the list for 16 times consecutively. As one of the four state oil giants, SINOCHEM operates globally in petroleum, fertilizer, chemicals, finance and real estate business.

Since being listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2000, SINOCHEM Intl has been repaying shareholders and society with the outstanding performance of 30% net profit compound growth rate and been recognized as one of China's Top 100 listed companies by Fortune for 7 consecutive years. It ranks first among the "100 Best Managed Chinese Listed Companies" by the Institute of World Economy & Politics, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and also tops "China's Best Board of Directors" by Directors & Boards magazine and Chinadirectors.com. The company's stock has been selected as constituent stock for both the Shanghai Stock Exchange 180 index and Shenzhen 300 index.

SINOCHEM Intl integrates its daily business practice, operation and policies with fundamental social values, pays attention to the vulnerable, focuses on environmental protection and commits itself to building a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society.

About MONSANTO

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto Company is a Fortune 500 firm headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA).

Monsanto commenced operations in India in 1949. Monsanto India Limited (MIL) is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange with approx. 72% of its stock directly or indirectly held by Monsanto Company, USA, and the rest by public. The Company was recently voted among India's Top 25 Best Employers as per the Hewitt Associates Survey 2007. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com, or www.monsantoindia.com

onsanto Company is headquartered in St. Louis, US and is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto visit www.monsanto.com and www.monsantoindia.com

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