ST. LOUIS — Monsanto Co. plans to become part of the North Carolina Research Campus and enter a strategic alliance with the David H. Murdock Research Institute.
The N.C.R.C. is under development in Kannapolis, N.C., and was founded by David Murdock, who is the owner of Castle & Cooke, Inc. and majority owner of Dole Foods Co., Inc. It brings together academia and industry with a goal of fostering collaborative research in nutrition, agriculture and biotechnology to accelerate the development of foods with enhanced flavor and greater nutrition value.
“I commend David for his vision in pulling together such diverse institutions that are leaders in their fields,” said Robb Fraley, chief technology officer for Monsanto. “The research center holds great promise and the potential to make a significant contribution to human health, nutrition and agriculture. The synergy that exists at a campus like this could lead to truly innovative research and products with long-term benefits for consumers.”
Monsanto has signed a long-term lease to establish research facilities focused on the taste and nutritional composition of vegetables and enhanced nutrition in food-focused crops such as soybeans.
“Monsanto’s presence on the N.C.R.C. constitutes yet another critical piece in ensuring the success of the campus,” Mr. Murdock said. “I am proud to have a company with the outstanding reputation of Monsanto, a leader in the field of agricultural biotechnology, as our newest partner. I look forward to great collaboration and scientific breakthroughs between Monsanto and our other academic and industry partners on the campus.”