Throughout its thousand-year history, amaranth had epochs of incredible rise (the ancient Indians called it the “Grain of God” and gave it magical properties), as well as the decline and total ban by the Spanish colonizers and Peter I.
Currently, cultivated and wild forms of amaranth are widespread on all continents suitable for growing crops. It is traditionally eaten in Peru, Chile, Mexico, the United States, India, Pakistan and other countries. The driving force behind the spread of amaranth around the world was a scientific discovery made at the end of the last century – amaranth oil has the highest content of squalene, which saturates the human body with oxygen, speeds up metabolism, triggers regenerative processes. The unique combination of squalene with vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, macro- and microelements allows to normalize metabolic processes in the body and significantly increase immunity. The body begins to work efficiently. This affects not only the fight against various diseases, increases efficiency, desire to live and create.ти.
At the moment, amaranth is one of the most profitable crops grown in Ukraine, mainly in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. In 2016, the gross income from 1 ha of amaranth was about UAH 40,000 with an average seed yield of 20 c / ha. Currently, the price of commercial seeds ranges from UAH 20,000 to UAH 30,000 per ton. But it should be noted that exactly 20,000 UAH / t is the price that suits both agricultural producers and processors, and competes with imported raw materials. If a farmer grows organic amaranth, its cost increases by 30-50%.
The question arises – why amaranth is still not grown in large areas? The problem is systemic and consists of three factors:
- Basic – ignorance of the population of Ukraine about the useful properties of amaranth products (not even purchasing power).
- Lack of a coherent export policy for amaranth oil.
- There is no coordination of the interests of amaranth producers and producers of amaranth products.
To overcome these factors, at the beginning of 2017, the NGO “Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Producers” was established. The main goal of the Association is to promote the development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine in terms of coordination of farmers who grow amaranth and processors who use seeds, meal, flour, oil, leaves and inflorescences, green mass, in its technological process and solving the following tasks.
- Popularization of amaranth products in Ukraine (participation in exhibition events, advertising on the Internet, television, radio, print media )
- Independent control over compliance with the technological process of growing amaranth in the fields of its members in order to identify producers who grow quality raw materials.
- Close cooperation with processors who produce quality products in order to further promote them on world markets, the formation of a positive image of Ukraine in the international market of amaranth products.
- Development and control of implementation of strategic plans for the production of amaranth and amaranth products in Ukraine. Forecasting production volumes and pricing policy.
- Facilitating the conclusion of forward contracts between agricultural producers and processors.
- Promotion of amaranth products in the baking, pharmaceutical, cosmetic industry, production of children’s, dietary, sports, gluten-free and other foods, as well as feed and tea. Formation of growing demand for amaranth products.
- Coordination of actions of agricultural producers regarding sowing, harvesting, transportation, cleaning and storage of seeds, leaves and other related amaranth products.
- Provision of agricultural producers with quality amaranth seed material. Cooperation with domestic selection, testing of leading foreign varieties.
- Providing consultations, conducting training courses, seminars, conferences.
- Search for export channels for the sale of products, lobbying for Ukrainian amaranth products abroad, establishing links with like-minded people abroad.
- Assistance in settling disputes and disagreements that arise in the process of realization by members of the Organization of their legitimate rights and interests.
- Defending the interests of the members of the Organization, at their request, in relations with other persons, enterprises, institutions and organizations, including government agencies.
If you are related to amaranth and share the purpose and objectives of the association, we invite you to our team of like-minded people. Please contact us by phone or e-mail and provide information about you in any form. Participation in the association does not require the payment of membership fees.