SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Archer Daniels
Midland Company (ADM), one of the world's leading agricultural
processors, has joined the Andean Family Farmers (AFF) partnership
to support Bolivian quinoa smallholder farmers. Through ADM Cares,
its social investment program, the company will provide funding to
enable the extension of a greatly needed irrigation project in
southern Bolivia.
Around the parched salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni, assured access to water at critical
times makes a major difference to smallholder quinoa farmers. An
irrigation system can double the yield of quinoa per hectare and
its value to the farmer, with measurable returns to the community
in terms of education, health and sanitation improvements. It
offers protection against losses from drought.
Currently AFF team members are working to install irrigation
systems that will serve farms in five remote communities. Thanks to
the support of ADM Cares, it will be possible to install a further
10 systems during 2015-16 in preparation for the 2016/17 crop
cycle.
The cost of each system will be funded by an interest-free loan
to each community against delivery of quinoa. With the anticipated
increase in crop yield, it will be possible for loans to be repaid
within two years, with subsequent proceeds accruing for community
benefit, including additional investment in irrigation. The
strength of this approach is that it is based on a commercial
partnership between AFF and the farmers, rather than simply the
transfer of "aid."
As one of the world's largest agricultural processors and
ingredient providers, Chicago-based ADM takes an active role in
building the communities in which its 33,000 employees and
suppliers live and work. ADM Cares is actively involved in a wide
range of projects, including disaster relief in Cote d'Ivoire and Japan, assistance to sustainable soybean
farmers in Brazil and waterways
cleanup in the USA.
"We're proud to partner with AFF to help improve irrigation and
farming conditions for Bolivian quinoa farmers," said Ken Campbell of ADM's Wild Flavors and Specialty
Ingredients business. "Projects like this one help ensure
safe, sustainable farming practices for local farmers and also
provide ADM with unique products such as quinoa to help our
customers meet the growing demand for healthier ingredients and
products."
About Andean Naturals and AFF
Founded in 2004, Andean
Naturals is a leading US importer of organic quinoa and other
ancient grains. Andean set up the Andean Family Farmers (AFF)
program in 2013 to coordinate and expand its support to family
farmers growing quinoa by traditional methods around the Salar de
Uyuni. Andean seeks partnerships
with businesses and individuals that share its goals of fairness
and sustainability in feeding the world. Learn more at
andeannaturals.com.
ADM is joining current AFF partners with ongoing projects
including Kellogg Company (soil health and irrigation), Fair Trade
USA (Fair Trade certification and
women's issues) and Root Capital (financial and accounting
literacy).
"ADM has been a great market partner since 2011," Sergio Nunez de Arco, chief officer of Andean
Naturals, said. "This adds something important. It tells us we're
heading in the same direction. Most of all it means that some of
the world's poorest farmers will soon have reliable access to the
simple blessing of water."
The donation was given through ADM Cares. ADM Cares is a social
investment program that directs funds to initiatives and
organizations that drive meaningful social, economic and
environmental progress worldwide. The program comprises three
distinct focus areas: supporting the responsible development of
agriculture, improving the quality of life in ADM communities and
fostering employee giving and volunteer activities.
About ADM
For more than a century, the people of
Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops
into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world. Today,
ADM is one of the world's largest agricultural processors and food
ingredient providers, with more than 33,000 employees serving
customers in more than 140 countries. With a global value chain
that includes more than 460 crop procurement locations, 300
ingredient manufacturing facilities, 40 innovation centers and the
world's premier crop transportation network, we connect the harvest
to the home, making products for food, animal feed, chemical and
energy uses. Learn more at www.adm.com.
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SOURCE Andean Naturals