Saffron Production Reaches to Some 20 Tons

According to the latest figures, saffron production level has reached to some 20 tons this year, reaching to 19,469 kilograms.

This year 7,555 hectares of land was cultivated saffron across the country, which shows 22 percent increase compared to last year. This comes as last year 6,272 hectares of land was cultivated saffron, production level of which reached to 16 tons.

According to the figures, Herat, Balkh, Faryab, Kandahar, Uruzgn, Daikundi, and Sare-Pul provinces have respectively the highest production. Most of saffron cultivation land have been in Herat province, which reaches to 7,000 hectares.

Also, in Balkh province 99.5 hectares, Faryab 46, Kandahar 45, Uruzgan 39, Daikundi 31, and in Sar-e-pul province 21 hectares land have been cultivated saffron. Saffron cultivation areas have been less in other provinces.

The main reasons for the increase of saffron in Afghanistan are increase of cultivation areas, and the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL) such as providing training for farmers, distribution of quality saffron bulbs, and creation of saffron demo units for farmers.

It is imported to mention that four saffron processing centers have been equipped in Kabul, Ghazni, Faryab and Herat provinces. Moreover 2,000 male and female saffron workers have received training.
Hundred of Afghan saffron samples have been tested in the standard laboratories of the country in order to check the quality of the products. As a result, the quality of the saffron surpassed the standard. Based on the result, Afghanistan produces the world most delicious and tasty saffron.
 Statistics show that Afghan saffron workers received 27 million USD from their saffron products this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL) prepared a five-year plan for the extension and growth of saffron in 2016, based on which the saffron production level must have been 14 tons by 2021. But the production level of saffron this year shows that as result of the efforts of MAIL, Afghanistan could even surpass the target a year ahead of the plan.