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Declaration
4 May 2009

We 54 participants gathered in the international conference “Sustainable Rural Development Policies:  Mechanisms to
Combat Impacts of Global Crises” held in Tirana on 4th of
May 2009 with the initiative of Organic Agriculture Association, coming from different  NGOs, universities, public institutions from Albania  and representatives from NGOs from Macedonia, Montenegro,  Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Netherlands and
Greece declare :

“Sustainable Rural Development Policies:  Mechanisms to
Combat Impacts of Global Crises”

Declaration
4 May 2009

We 54 participants gathered in the international conference “Sustainable Rural Development Policies: 
Mechanisms  to Combat Impacts of Global Crises”  held in Tirana on 4th of May 2009 with the initiative 
of Organic Agriculture  Association, coming from different NGOs, universities, public institutions from 
Albania  and representatives from NGOs from Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, 
Netherlands and Greece declare :

-          We adhere to the calls for urgent action of international institutions related to global crises and the climate change, expressed in the assertion “the world has less than a decade to change course” (Human Development Report 2007/2008).

-          We call policy makers to put more urgent attention—and take more immediate action on the issue.

-          We call upon the SEE governments to recognize agriculture and farmers' organizations as an engine for economic growth.

-          We urge them to exploit the full potential of agriculture to reduce poverty and hunger and to revitalize rural areas, while maintaining sustainable rural landscapes through the ecosystem services that farmers provide.

-          We call the SEE countries to act proactively in the debate of the post 2013 Common Agricultural Policy to ensure that non-trade concerns like environmental and social standards as well as food security, food self-sufficiency and food sovereignty of the States will be part of the new policy;

-          We urge all the SEE governments to finally grasp the importance of re-engaging farmers in a long- term and sustainable manner for the reduction of poverty and hunger and generate a much needed economic stimulus.

-          Agricultural and rural development programs should be included in fiscal stimulus packages used by governments to fight global recession impacts in respective countries.

-          We acknowledge the positive role of international migration for the sustainability of the rural regions of Europe and demand the designation of policies for the integration of migrants into the host countries, as well as for the regularization of their circular movement and employment in rural regions;

-          National SEE governments have to build up their way of incorporating rural policies into the national strategies;

-          Local markets should be the main provider of food.  Efficient and flexible internal demand orientated systems of supply management are necessary;

-          Taking into the consideration the key role of agriculture in Albanian economy, the government should shift its attention to the agricultural sector providing immediately a package of agricultural input oriented support to soften the impact of actual crises;

-          In the long run, Albania would overcome the global crises designing rural policies towards capillary development;

-          Albania needs to frame policies and provide incentives for the use of migrant remittances towards the agricultural and overall development of the rural region of the country;

-          Albania and SEE countries should make use of their high potential of renewable sources of energy, particularly water resources, not only to face the energy crises, but also to adapt to climate change impacts.

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In the framework of the Programme “The Adriatik Organic Farming” OAA hosted on 20th of May 2008 15  partners from Italy, Bosnja-Hercegovina and Croatia a visit in some organic farms, members of OAA.

Organic Farm "Enisa" Durres

Organic Farm "Hajdar Kuçi" Marikaj

Organic lunch in Maminas

Organic Farm "Sila" Fushëkrujë

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OAA celebrates the 10-year anniversary

More than 100 participants, members of Organic Agriculture Association (OAA) and other stakeholders of organic movement of Albania came together on 15^th October 2007 at Tirana International hotel to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of OAA...

The 10^th anniversary of OAA

More than 100 participants, members of Organic Agriculture Association (OAA) and other stakeholders of organic movement of Albania came together on 15^th October 2007 at Tirana International hotel to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of OAA. The prefecture of Tirana Mr. Ruzhdi Keçi, also, joined the participants in the celebration.

The special thing of the event was that the wine and food was organic and fully supplied by OAA farmers themselves.

The annual general assembly of OAA

On 15^th October 2007 was held the annual general assembly of OAA.

In this meeting OAA executive director, Mr. lavdosh Ferruni presented the report for 2006-2007. It was also presented the internal financial auditing report. The general assembly elected the new board. In the new board there are now: Dr. Zyhdi Pepa; Prof. Petraq Sotiri, Profesor Vjollca Ibro, Profesor Sokrat Jani, Dr. Liri Sila (organic farmer), Dr. Xhevahire Dulja, Mrs. Monika Spahivogli (organic retailer and chief editor of OAA magazine “Agriculture and Ecology”).

OAA participated in the workshops organized in Venezia on
12 & 13 September

In the framework of BIOADRIA projects’ activities (Interreg 3 programme), Organic Agriculture Association OAA participated in the workshops organized in Venezia on 12 & 13 September and in Trade Fair SANA 2007 in Bologna, (14- 16 September)Italy.

OAA participated on this fair with some certified organic products from Albanian producers, like “Shkalla” organic olive oil, ëinner of BIOL prize 2006, “Musaj” organic olive oil certified by ICEA, “Enisa” organic wine certified by OAA standards of Organic Agriculture. There were disseminated also some publications of OAA.  

OAA Press Conference 29 November 2006

OAA Press Conference 29 November 2006

Press release

 Tirane 29 november 2006- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers’ Protection has recently approved an action plan for development of organic agriculture in Albania, based also on the Albanian law for “Organic Production”.

Organic Agriculture Association (OAA) congratulates this initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and simultaneously presents its commitment for making it more functional.

So, OAA has a signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian consortium for certification ICEA (Institute for Certification and Environmental Ethics), well-known not only in EU, but also in US and many other countries worldwide.

ICEA in collaboration with OAA will provide to Albanian companies easier procedures and favorable costs for BIO international certification. It has been already provided bio certification for 2 Albanian companies respectively for organic olive oil and medicinal herbs and essential oils. The requests for bio-certification of some other companies are in submission.  Further OAA will be facilitated by ICEA in the process of inspection of local organic farms and cooperatives in order to provide independent inspection according to organic law of Albania. OAA has started the process of organic certification for local farms, based on its own standards, compatible with EU and IFOAM standards, since 2003. There are already more than 30 farmers and processors certified “organic”

OAA is worried that the Government, particularly Ministry of Environment is moving very slowly in formulation and approval of the law for GMOs. This is big dangerous, since Albania might becomes a country of application of dangerous GMOs either in experimental cultivation or food chain.

Due to the fact that Albania does not have a GMO law it is quite likely that Albanian market is contaminated by unapproved for consumption GMO rise, LL601, which is already evidenced in the markets of many countries worldwide. But meanwhile this illegal rice is removed or removing from the markets elsewhere, like in Greece recently, in Albania it is quite likely to be easily supplied such illegal rice or other GMOs, due to lack of any commitment from the Government.

OAA and ICEA shared a pavilion in the biggest and the most well-known international fair in Albania, which took place as usual from 25-30 November 2006.

This fair is visited by thousands of visitors. The pavilion of OAA and ICEA was very attractive not only from rich information provided, but also due to nice design of the pavilion, where was presented the rural profile of Albania in miniature. The organic products of local organic producers were presented in a broad range from fresh fruit and vegetables up too organic olive oil and wine.

There have been many people interested for this pavilion, starting from farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, organizations from Albania and foreigners interested for organic in Albania. The participation of OAA and ICEA in the fair got the attention of media. So, OAA organized a press conference where it was presented an important message for the present situation. This was transmitted by at least 4 TVs. The press release is put in the biggest environmental electronic network supported by REC (Regional Environmental Center)

This press release was also published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers’ Protection, also in Italian language and Albanian.

A differet way of promotion

Dance and eat healthy food to have a good life-this was the message transmitted by “Ballroom Nights 06” on 15-16 July of  2006 at the touristic complex “Mak Albania”.

Organic Agriculture Association attached its promotional activity on an appropriate event of summer time, in order to reach to a special audience: people on holiday and particularly young generation.  
About 100 dancer and more than 400 tourists enjoyed together with festive atmosphere and the taste of organic food. The dancing community created a joyful atmosphere for two days at the surroundings of the biggest tourist resort in Albania “Mak-Albania” on seaside at Mali i Robit in Durres. Children and beautiful young dancers kindly “embarrassed” the holidays of tourists. Under the high temperament of  Hip-Hop, a marvelous group of  girls gave the message “Go organic”. Meanwhile around the water pool associated by the golden orange  of sunset it was offered to the people the essence of Albanian wines, Albanian organic wine. Quite surprising was that it was served to all . dancers an organic lunch “made in Albania”. In the meantime it was offered to them some written information “why organic”. The most important was passionate chatting for the very taste food, which was labeled organic.

It was not the first time that OAA use such promotional forms, far from stamps. A synergy was created this time with the activity of “Geraldina Dance” and the “Union of Albanian Dance”.

It seems , this is just starting of a different way  of promotion,  the way the youth like.

(M. Spahivogli)