Remarks on Korca Apple Growers

Remarks by Assistant Administrator Douglas Menarchik
Albanian Agriculture Competitiveness Program Opening in Korçë
October 5, 2007

Mr. Musa, Mr. Agolli, ladies and gentlemen,

We are here today for launching the local office of USAID’s new agriculture project in Korça.

With this project USAID will assist Albania’s agriculture, in particular farmers, become more competitive in the global market over next five years.

Coming from Tirana today, I have seen a lot of farms, but none as splendid as the orchard of Mr. Rakipi. Thank you for your hospitality.

His orchard is the product of many years of hard work, but also careful applications of the right technologies. At the end of a successful harvest, he and his family must be very pleased because I understand that he has signed a contract with dealers from the capital for part of his harvest.

Congratulations!

USAID’s new project can help you and all the farmers in the Korça area more. For instance, new environmentally-friendly methods of fighting pests can be introduced at less cost. Second, new genotypes of apples can be introduced that are more resistant to adverse conditions. Third, the introduction of new–post-harvest technologies can be important and finally fourth better links with the domestic and export markets can increase the demand for your apples.

We know that farmers here face many challenges and the new project will help you address these challenges. Addressing these challenges can mean an increase in your families’ income.
As you know, there is much to be done. We, at USAID, are confident that the AAC project will do the best for helping you. But it will take your hard work as well.

Thinking of your future and how you will face the coming challenges will be important. Maybe the biggest challenge you will face is the need to cooperate with your neighbors. This is a good thing and has nothing to do with the forced cooperation during the Communist period. It is your choice. But cooperation in this project will bring benefits to you and to your community.

If you decide to join a cooperation scheme, buying fertilizer, seedlings, and pesticides will be cheaper. You can agree to build new storage facilities and the apples can be sold at the most appropriate time. This is what American farmers do.

The project is only two months off the ground. But it has an office in Korça.  This can represent a new beginning, especially if you work together with the other stakeholders such as the local government, extension and research people from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection.

I would like to wish you and the new project a most successful collaboration. With it should come more production next year and in the years to come and greater income for you and your families.

And one day I look forward to buying your Korca apples at my supper market!