The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center today announced a $15 million gift from the Monsanto Fund to support the Center’s vision and mission: $7.5 million of the gift will support the Center’s “Campaign for a Green Future” while $7.5 million will go directly to efforts to develop high-yield crops for Africa.
The “Campaign for a Green Future” was launched in November 2004 with a goal of $100 million. The Danforth Foundation will match, up to $50 million, all unrestricted and endowment gifts from private sources received by December 31, 2010.
This gift will allow us to continue important research on a cassava and corn for several countries in Africa, and fortifies our commitment to help alleviate certain crop diseases in those countries,” said Danforth president Roger N. Beachy.
The Danforth Center has been working to develop virus-resistant cassava (Manihot esculenta) for the past seven years. Resistance to the African Cassava Mosaic Virus would hold great value to farmers, as this virus is having a devastating effect on cassava growth throughout Africa. In addition to cassava, the Center is conducting research on corn (Zea mays) for Africa.