By Linda Beher*

NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2004—Farmers in Albania will soon harvest and market a crop long absent from their region—sunflowers.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will sell about 4,184 metric tons of crude sunflower oil and use the proceeds to implement sunflower production in Albania. UMCOR is the international non-profit humanitarian aid organization of The United Methodist Church, related to the General Board of Global Ministries.

The process of using proceeds from commodity sales for agricultural development is known as “monetization.” In addition to supporting development activities, such sales introduce food stuffs into a market where food deficits may exist.

Currently Albania imports most of its sunflower products, so introduction of the new commodity has the effect of stimulating the local marketplace. Monetization also energizes the local economy through generation of new jobs. The United States Department of Agriculture donated the oil to UMCOR.

In cooperation with the Albanian agricultural agency and local Albanian rural organizations, UMCOR will select about 50 farmers to receive business and technical support in growing oil-grade seed. The first step is identification of the most suitable sunflower seed for the region.

“ The sunflower oil and seed project in Albania is a great example of self-development for economic empowerment,” said the Rev. R. Randy Day, general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries. “The project reminds me of the Parable of the Sower in the New Testament, where seeds fall into fertile earth and bring forth a bumper crop. We can only pray that we will have the same results with sunflower seeds in Albania.”

The sunflower venture will use funds from commodities sales in a way new to UMCOR. Previous efforts have supported training, while this one will focus on market development. Earlier in Bosnia-Herzegovina, UMCOR monetized a total of 186,000 metric tons of commodities that generated $46.6 million for participants. Of that amount, some $11 million was used for farm technical assistance, loan programs for entrepreneurial farmers, and youth-focused activities in underdeveloped rural communities

In Albania, UMCOR will work with five key stakeholders: the National Farmers Union, the Albanian Agribusiness Council, the International Fertilizer Development Center, Land O’Lakes, Inc., and the government’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. It will help the stakeholders to build networks that improve information sharing and business practices.

“ This program will facilitate positive change in productivity and profitability for farmers and processors alike,” said Paul Dirdak, chief executive of UMCOR. Another hoped-for outcome is the restoration of productive working relationships between farmers and processors. Their historic distrust has accentuated weak market conditions.

Albania, a country of low income, suffers from serious food deficits. The per-capita annual income is $2,300 and the unemployment rate runs 17 to 30 percent, according to a 2002 World Bank study. Agriculture is a chief source of income, though the population is shifting to urban centers.

UMCOR receives in-kind donations from agencies like the USDA. Its core work is funded by the strong financial support of the United Methodists. Contributions for the ongoing work in Albania can be sent to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, marked for the “Albania Emergency Advance No. 328235.”

*Linda Beher is communications director of UMCOR.

	See Also... Topic: Agriculture |  Economy |  UMCOR |  United Methodist Church |  Geographic Region: Albania |  Source: UMCOR Press Releases
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Date posted: May 24, 2004