Monsanto Provides Fast Start to Australia’s Cotton Relief Fund

By Jim.Robinson|November 23, 2011

As cotton competes with food crops for planting space, it’s critical that farmers who make the commitment to growing the fiber know they will be supported in difficult times. That’s why the efforts of companies like Monsanto and others who donate to Australia’s Cotton Relief Fund are so important, according to Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay.

The Australian cotton industry is hoping to produce a record crop over 4 million bales in the coming season, but the fund was established based on the struggles that the country has faced in recent years.

“Enduring nearly a decade of drought, then being hit with flooding in two consecutive seasons, clearly demonstrates that growing cotton in Australia can be a challenging enterprise,” Kay said in an interview with Cotton International. “The forecast for the 2012/13 crop also remains strong, with many new and returning growers deciding that growing cotton will be their best option.”

The Cotton Flood Relief Fund was set up to deliver financial support to farmers who have a history of growing the crop and need additional relief to ensure they plant another crop this season. It got off to a great start thanks to a $2 million donation from Monsanto, one of the world’s largest agriculture companies.

“The Australian cotton industry is very grateful for all of the contributions,” Kay said. “From the cross-sector approach to marketing and research, to the sharing of knowledge and techniques with new growers, cotton growing in Australia has always been conducted in a supportive atmosphere.”