Scott, Mississippi
June 3, 2002

• CEO Murray Robinson to retire; will continue as Vice Chairman

• SVP and CFO W. T. Jagodinski to become President and CEO on September 1

• VP of Business Development R. D. Greene named VP Finance and Treasurer

Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE:DLP), a leading commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, today announced that consistent with its succession plan, Murray Robinson will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer August 31, 2002 and W. T. ("Jag") Jagodinski, who was named Executive Vice President, will succeed Robinson as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2002. In addition, Rick Greene, 32, D&PL Vice President of Business Development, has been named Vice President Finance and Treasurer, effective immediately.

Jagodinski, 45, an 11-year D&PL veteran most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Robinson, 68, will continue as Vice Chairman and Jon E. M. Jacoby, 63, will remain Chairman. Charles R. ("Randy") Dismuke, 47, will continue in his role as Senior Vice President and head of U.S. operations, with oversight for sales and marketing, distribution, and production of seed.

"We are delighted that Jag will become our CEO," said Jacoby. "His keen understanding of all aspects of our domestic and international operations as well as his broad financial experience will enable D&PL to successfully execute its long-term growth strategy – a strategy that he collaborated in developing. I also want to thank Murray Robinson for the tremendous job he has done during his 14-year tenure with the Company."

Robinson commented, "We have effectively accomplished the repositioning of D&PL’s technology sources -- a goal we set two years ago -- and it is the right time for me to step away from day to day operation of the Company. Jag and I, supported by our other senior managers, have worked extensively together to pursue business opportunities that would continue to provide valuable technologies to our farmer customers yet increase benefits to our shareholders. Jag’s capabilities as a leader and a manager make him ideally suited to take D&PL to the next level in the years ahead. Also, Rick has played a key role in formulating the Company’s international strategy and bringing the recently announced trait development collaborations to fruition, and we look forward to his continued contributions. Having Randy Dismuke and other senior managers continue in their leadership positions gives the company not only depth of experience but also continuity in customer and industry relationships."

Jagodinski said, "It has been a privilege for me to work alongside Murray in developing a long-term growth strategy designed to leverage D&PL’s expertise and reduce its reliance on third parties for technologies that benefit our farmer customers while increasing value for our shareholders. Rick Greene’s involvement in our current strategic moves, along with his broad experience, make him a sound choice to take over the financial team. We have a strong management team and talented work force that will help us take advantage of D&PL’s strong market position and many growth opportunities in the coming years."

Jagodinski has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of D&PL since September 2000. He joined D&PL in 1991 as Director of Corporate Accounting and Financial Reporting. He served as Vice President Finance and Treasurer from 1993 until 2000. Prior to joining D&PL, Jagodinski spent eight years at Arthur Andersen LLP in various capacities. Before that, he worked for five years at Price Waterhouse. Jagodinski earned a BBA in Accounting from the University of Mississippi in 1978.

Greene has served as Vice President Business Development since September 2000, and from 1997 until 2000 as Director of International Taxation and Finance at D&PL. Prior to joining the Company, he served in various capacities at Arthur Andersen LLP since 1991. Greene earned a BS in Accounting from Christian Brothers University in 1992.

Delta and Pine Land Company is a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed. Headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, with multiple offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries, D&PL also breeds, produces and markets soybean planting seed.