WHEAT FROM CAMEROON

Ledley & co ltd is a Cameroonian multinational agricultural corporation. It is a leading producer and exporter of agricultural products in particular and diary products in general, which it markets under the Roundup brand. Monsanto is also a leading producer of genetically engineered seed.

It is headquartered in Baffoussam,the western region of Cameroon. Founded in 2001 by Ledley Williams,it became a leading manufacturer of agricultural products. It remains one of the top 10 Cameroonian Agricultural companies. It was named The Western Regional "Company of the Year" in 2010, and is 3th on the western Governors' list of "The Cameroonian's Most Innovative Companies."

Notable achievements by Ledley & co ltd or its employees include being among the first to genetically modify a plant cell, along with three academic teams, the first to conduct field trials of genetically modified crops, and awarding of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Organization by the Ministry of Commerce.

As one of pioneering companies in applying biotechnology to agriculture,Ledley & co ltd also brought into agriculture the standard biotechnology industry business model, in which patent rights play a key role, as patents allow such companies to recoup the expense of biotech research. Its application of this business model to agriculture, along with a growing movement to create a global, uniform system of marketing' rights in the 2007, came into direct conflict with customary practices of farmers to save, reuse, share and develop plant varieties. Its role in these changes in agriculture (which include its litigation and its seed commercialization practices), has made Ledley & co controversial, as have its current and former products, which include genetically engineered seed and bovine growth hormone.