Monsanto – a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity, reaffirms its commitment to its Human Rights Anti–Child Labour Program that has helped farmers reduce child labour on its hybrid cotton seed production fields. The Human Rights Program is in partnership with the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO), NGOs – Voluntary Organization of Rural Development Society (VORDS), Glocal Research & Consultancy, and industry. Farmer awareness campaigns, external third party audits and an incentive/disincentive program are helping educate and encourage farmers produce hybrid cotton seed with adult labour only.

As an extension of the Human Rights program, the Monsanto Fund – the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, announces the launch of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center – a residential learning centre to provide formal, informal and vocational education to the children of Kurnool and Mehboobnagar. The center has been setup with NGOs VORDS and Australian Foundation for People of Asia Pacific (AFAP).

Committed to the protection and advancement of Human Rights, Monsanto established a robust Human Rights Policy in line with the UN ILO Declaration of Human Rights in 2006. Monsanto India's Human Rights program is structured into five pillars.

1. A Child Care Program (CCP) Steering Committee setup to direct the farmer program.
2. ‘No Child Labor’ Clauses in Farmer and Third-Party Contracts.
3. Massive Farmer Awareness Campaign – posters, door-to-door visits, leaflets, post cards;
   a Farmer Social Pledge; and Farm Attendance Record with village, field and labour details.
4. Field Audits - Coordinators, External Auditors, and CCP Members conduct surprise visits to each plot at least 10-12 times during the 45-60 day pollination period. In 2007, CCP Auditors conducted more than 10,000 field visits.
5. Incentive / Disincentive Schemes – Farmers employing only adult labour receive an additional incentive of ~Rs. 5,000 per acre which helps them afford adult labor and discourages the thought of employing child labor in the future. In case farmers are found to violate the Human Rights Clause in their contracts, the child is immediately removed from the field, the farmer becomes ineligible for incentives, and Monsanto discontinues production with the farmer the following season.

These efforts have helped farmers reduce child labor on hybrid cotton seed production fields from 20% in 2004 (prior to Monsanto acquiring its hybrid cotton seed brand) to less than 1% in 2007.

Speaking on the occasion, Deborah Patterson, President, Monsanto Fund said, “The Monsanto Fund Learning Center is our attempt to rehabilitate children from cotton production fields and channelize them towards their basic right to education. Globally, the Monsanto Fund seeks to improve peoples’ lives by bridging the gap between their needs and resources by investing in nutritional well being, environment, science education and communities. The establishment of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center provides children a safe and healthy environment, and is another step in that direction.”

The uniqueness of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center is the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) designed for each child aimed at allowing the children to enter mainstream education. Students will also be offered vocational skills allowing them to have other income generating opportunities. Located at Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, this residential facility can accommodate and teach 120 students each year.

B. Showri Reddy, Principal, Monsanto Fund Learning Center (VORDS) said, “For the current academic year, the Monsanto Fund Learning Center has registered 70 students. With a team of 10 faculty members, we are eager and equipped to begin coaching and assisting children to get back to mainstream education – ultimately making a difference in their lives.”

Christopher Samuel, Senior Manager – Public Affairs, Monsanto India said, “Monsanto has been partnering with Indian farmers for over 58 years. We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work and hence, have pledged over Rs. 11 crores to the Human Rights Anti-Child Labour program from 2006 till date, which includes the Monsanto Fund Learning Centre. We pledge to continue our commitment to community development initiatives in more such meaningful programs in the future.”

This year the World Day against Child Labour is being marked around the world with activities to raise awareness that education is the right response to child labour. The UN ILO estimated that approx. 165 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour. Many of these children work long hours, often in dangerous conditions. Many poor families are unable to afford school fees or other school costs. The family may depend on the contribution that a working child makes to the household’s income, and place more importance on that than on education. The UN International Labour Organization’s most recent global estimates indicate that the number of children involved in child labour fell by 11 per cent to 218 million, between 2000 and 2004.

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Monsanto Fund

Monsanto Fund - the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company was established in 1964. For more than 40 years, the Monsanto Fund has worked to substantially and meaningfully improve the lives of people around the world by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. In 2007, the Monsanto Fund pledged over Rs. 50 crores or US$ 12.6 million to numerous causes across the globe in the areas of community development, environment, nutrition, and science education.

Monsanto India CSR

Over the last six years, Monsanto India has pledged over Rs. 5.5 crores to community development initiatives in the areas of sustainable agriculture, education, healthcare and disaster rehabilitation. In addition, the Company has committed over Rs. 11 crores to its Human Rights Anti-Child Labour program.

As part of the Monsanto Company’s commitment to the communities in which we live and work, various projects have been undertaken in the areas of educational infrastructure (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), nutrition (Jharkhand), and leprosy eradication (Tamil Nadu). In addition, Monsanto provided relief to the Tsunami-affected in Tamil Nadu via NGO United Way (2005), and contributed to the PM's Relief Fund and International Red Cross Society for Gujarat Earthquake Relief (2001).

Voluntary Organization of Rural Development Society (VORDS)

Voluntary Organization of Rural Development Society (VORDS) is an Andhra Pradesh-based NGO working for the betterment of rural and underprivileged children.

Australian Foundation for the Limited (AFAP)

The Australian Foundation for the Limited (AFAP), established in 1968, is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Sydney, Australia with development programs in the Asia-Pacific Region and Africa. In Asia, AFAP has affiliate offices or representatives in Vietnam, Philippines, Nepal, India, Combodia, Sri Lanka, China and Afghanistan.