The New York Times published an article titled “Raisins Give Hope to Afghan Farmers,” describing how “…an unusual alliance among Afghan farmers; Mercy Corps, an international aid organization based in Portland, Oregon; and Fullwell Mill, a British food producer…” is bringing Afghan raisins to British store shelves and providing a secure agricultural product for Afghan farmers to reap the rewards of growing.
According to the article, Afghanistan once produced as much as 10% of the world’s raisins until the 1980’s, when much of its economy was interrupted or destroyed by Soviet occupation, civil war and the rise of the Taliban. Since the fall of the Taliban, Afghan raisins have begun making a comeback, but have had difficulty reaching markets outside of the region.
The partnership between Mercy Corps and Fulwell Mill has, so far, had three significant benefits. First, it allowed raisins grown in Afghanistan’s Parwan province to be designated as a fair-trade product and carry the Fairtrade Labeling Organization International (FLO) logo, which “signifies to consumers that growers have received a fair price and that a portion of their profits will be used to further economic development.”
Second. it has provided assistance and training to Afghan growers to make their products meet fair-trade standards, netting better prices. Finally, the cooperation has brought Afghan raisins to British markets, and opened the possibility for future ventures of this kind.
Posted by Michael Lucivero.
Image credit: The Guardian UK
