Mumbai: Monsanto Company has committed up to $1.2 million for emergency aid and longer-term rebuilding of the areas in Asia affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

"Tragically, the tsunami's impact is enormous and the effort to rebuild will take a considerable length of time, and personal recovery even longer, but we are committed to the relief effort for the long term," said Hugh Grant, chief executive officer for Monsanto.

The majority of the money committed by Monsanto will be directed to support longer-term rebuilding efforts. Each Monsanto country office is seeking projects in which employees can participate directly. Helping to restore and make agricultural lands productive again may be one example.

Monsanto is encouraging all employees to offer financial support to the international relief and rebuilding efforts. Employee contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF or the Friends of the World Food Program will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.

In addition, Monsanto is donating US$100,000 to the Friends of the World Food Program. The World Food Program (WFP) is the United Nations' frontline agency in the fight against global hunger. In responding to this disaster, WFP food has so far reached more than 100,000 people in Aceh and North Sumatra, Indonesia.

The remaining committed funds will flow directly through affected countries in the region. Approximately one-third of the money will go immediately to local relief funds in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com.