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Map of Albania showing location of Tirana.Ceremonies Launch Sunflower Development Project in Albania

by Linda Beher

Posted: July 8, 2004 Click to Visit Global News.

TIRANA, Albania--Ceremonies here on June 29 marked the opening of a new United Methodist sunflower production program in Albania. Albanian governmental officials and farmers, representatives of governmental and corporate donors from the United States, and other project participants attended.

Some 50 to 100 farmers will benefit from the United Methodist Committee on Relief's project. UMCOR is the international humanitarian aid organization of The United Methodist Church.

Currently Albania imports most of its sunflower products. Introduction of the commodity will help stimulate the local marketplace and create jobs, as well as cover food deficits. Angel Pesevski, head of office for UMCOR-Albania, noted that the program may enable expansion to other commodities, using the scientific approach developed for and with Albania.

UMCOR is combining its agricultural development experience in other Balkan countries with the expertise of the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and Food plus local processors, producers, and agriculture institutes. Funding for the new effort will come from the sales of crude sunflower oil to be donated to UMCOR by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food for Progress program. The two agencies have worked together on a number of joint projects in the past, including several in the Balkans.

Measuring sunflower seeds to be planted in a test plot in Albania."A core value of the project is UMCOR's commitment to build on the ideas of local and governmental partners," said Robert Garnett, UMCOR's Balkans unit director.

Celebrations continued June 30 with an UMCOR-sponsored site visit to agricultural test plots near Lushjne, where several farmers planted 20 hybrids. The aim is to identify the most productive seed varieties before the next growing season.

Ndini Ndoni is one of the participants. He anticipates that meeting the challenges of farming sunflowers over large land areas will ensure the success of the venture.

While awaiting the September arrival of the oil, project partners are engaged in seed testing to determine the best four or five oil-grade seed hybrids for the climate, soil, and technology in Albania. They are also thinking creatively about issues like mechanization.

Diesel price supports will also assist. Agron Duka, Albania's minister of agriculture, assured the group that government measures will include policies to reduce the price of diesel so that farmers and processors in the venture have a stronger chance at earning a profit.

Tilling the soil where the sunflowers will be planted.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%, according to a 2002 World Bank study. Agriculture is a chief source of income. A project such as sunflower production can assist in improving the economy and development of this emerging democracy.

Contributions for the ongoing work in Albania can be sent to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115, marked for the "Albania Emergency Advance #328235."

Photos: 1. UMCOR agronomist, Mr Dimitrac, is pictured here measuring out sunflower seeds with two beneficiaries of the UMCOR's new "Sunflower Production Support Program." 2. Plowing a field where sunflower seeds will be tested. Credit: Angel Pesevski, UMCOR/Albania 2004. Click on any image to see a larger version.

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The map(s) is in the public domain, adapted from one(s) obtained the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, courtesy of The General Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.