U.S.-based Cargill has signed a cooperative agreement with China Children and Teenagers' Fund in Beijing to establish the Cargill Rural Education Program.

Cargill aims to meet the needs of local communities close to Cargill factories and support the development of rural education. With the launch of this program, Cargill will aid approximately 20 rural schools in nearby communities of Cargill factories improve their educational facilities.

The Cargill Rural Education Program will fund the rural schools in three phases. At the beginning, Cargill will donate US$500,000 for renovating school facilities in 20 schools located in the nearby suburbs of Cargill factories. Once the program takes off, Cargill would donate another US$500,000 in fiscal year 2008/09. Meanwhile, employees in Cargill Starch & Sweeteners have raised an additional US$300,000 in a marathon to support rural education development in China. Staff volunteers at Cargill will also establish long-term partnerships with sponsored schools to conduct lessons on currency, finance and trade knowledge to students.

The Cargill Rural Education Program spans five years, and it aims to establish a platform for the sustainable development of rural education in China. Cargill says it plans to contribute even more actively to corporate social responsibility projects in the areas of rural development and education in China.

The cooperation between Cargill and CCTF started in January 2006, when Cargill donated RMB2 million to establish Cargill China Cares Fund with CCTF. With the support of the fund, Cargill has established 28 Cargill Cares Councils nationwide, which consist mainly of Cargill employees. Besides being engaged in CSR activities, primarily in the areas of education, environmental protection and healthcare, these councils are committed to helping farmers, disabled children and other disadvantaged groups. In August 2006, Cargill was named "Star Public Welfare Enterprise" by CCTF.

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