Monsanto as a Partner in Plant Science and Education.

Monsanto has demonstrated strong, rapidly growing capacity in the practical application of Plant Sciences enabling delivery of high-tech seeds to farmers and growers in many global regions.  Farmers and communities in both advanced and developing nations are realizing well-documented benefits of genetically enhanced seeds.  Additional promising beneficial traits are currently at various phases in the Plant Breeding pipeline.  Numerous new tools and methods are being developed to increase genetic gain through Plant Breeding and Genetics.  Rapid advances in genomics have accelerated levering genotypic data in powerful new ways in Plant Breeding programs.  Adding increasingly complex trait packages to plants has complicated the resource allocation and stretched capacity of Plant Breeders.   Cross-functional training of new plant breeders is essential to accelerate genetic gain to meet urgent needs to deliver improved seeds for planting.  A sophisticated talent pool entering Plant Breeding careers is the lifeblood of a sustainable science-based Plant Breeding community.

Monsanto has set high expectations, internally and externally, through ongoing conversations about our Sustainable Yield Initiative for doubling yields of our major crops, while simultaneously reducing inputs, and improving farmers’ lives by 2030.  In order to continue to innovate successfully in a highly competitive and increasingly complex seed industry, it is essential to participate widely in the rapid developments that are occurring with unprecedented pace in Plant Breeding, Genomics, Biotechnology, and other areas of science and technology.  It is critically important to develop an improving global talent pipeline for sustaining and growing our large and diverse Plant Breeding workforce.  Monsanto has increased participation in public/private partnerships in the rebuilding of our national capacity in Plant Breeder education.   Funding of Plant Breeding requires longer term support at many levels, due to the capital intensive nature of land and equipment, and to the seasonal business of working with growing plants in the field on large acreages.