EXHIBIT 23.1



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-64076 of Monsanto Company on Form S-8 of
our report dated February 5, 2002 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion
and  includes  an  explanatory  paragraph  relating  to the  adoption  of  Staff
Accounting  Bulletin No. 101,  REVENUE  RECOGNITION  IN  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS),
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Monsanto Company for the year
ended December 31, 2001.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
August 9, 2002