I am Cargill's representative to the South African Development Council and Cargill is an active member of the Corporate Council on Africa. We have been pleased to participate in President Clinton's historic trip to Africa and Secretary Daley's recent trade mission there. In these ten countries, Cargill has a full-time workforce of about 1000, and we employ another 1300 seasonal workers. Only 15 of these people are foreign service employees, or expatriates. Our experience in Africa convinces us that sustainable development must begin with agriculture.
Agriculture is the foundation stone for every African economy.
Let me illustrate how that happens by describing how we have invested in Africa. Our efforts in Africa focus on providing a market for the farmer and the goods he produces. We help the farmer learn how to use inputs to improve yields and to plant and harvest more efficiently. We add value to farm production through our in-country processing, ginning and milling businesses. We provide the farmer with a way to market their products.