DuPont announced it has opened its newest seed research center in
Brazil. The new center is located in Porto Nacional, Brazil, and will help
DuPont accelerate global research efforts to bring better genetics and
traits to market faster.
"This new center will further strengthen our leadership position in
Brazil and around the world," said Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice president and
general manager and Pioneer Hi-Bred president.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has grown its corn seed business
in the high-value Brazil market by 20 points in eight years by delivering
products that help farmers increase their productivity.

The research center will focus on winter nursery capabilities for corn
and soybean breeding, drought tolerance and heat stress research, as well as
local product development efforts. It will be instrumental in bringing new
hybrids to market faster as a centralized site for doubled haploid inbred
development - an approach that accelerates product advancement.

"We are confident the opportunities in agriculture will continue to
grow in Brazil, including the expansion in soybean production, the
transition from low technology to high technology corn production and new
biotechnology traits," Oestreich said. "As DuPont grows its business in
Brazil and around the world, all farmers will benefit from our worldwide
crop genetics, research and development efforts. We have employees in 70
countries focused on a common goal - to increase productivity to help meet
growing world demand for food, feed, fuel and materials."

The research center is planting its first crop in June and will be
fully operational by 2008. It is part of a $100 million reinvestment plan by
DuPont to increase investment in plant genetics, biotechnology and other
high-value growth opportunities to increase speed-to-market for new seed
products. The plan includes the addition of more than 400 positions
globally, mainly in research and development at Pioneer, and expanding R&D
efforts at 67 of the 92 Pioneer research centers worldwide.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of
customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed
processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access
to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in
1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions
essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.
Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of
innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food;
building and construction; communications; and transportation. DuPont


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