KABUL - The Afghan ministry of agriculture and livestock breading says that according to a new policy, efforts are underway to enhance the rate of Saffron production in five years to 14 tons per year.
In an interview with The Kabul Times reporter, the spokesman of that ministry Lutfullah Rashed said at present, the saffron production level is 3.5 tons per year which is unprecedented.
Afghanistan has a total capacity of 70 tons saffron production per year that would earn US $200m per year. Afghanistan saffron enjoys good universal quality and reputation and since three years, it has gained the first position in the world.
Researches have shown that saffron contains different vitamins essentials for body growth, minerals and fats which are used extensively in medicines. Saffron is usually used for treatment of nervous, digestive and respiratory and other diseases. Herat is a susceptible province in Afghanistan for cultivation of saffron but the MoAL said that its trying to generalize saffron production in thirty provinces.
At the same time the MoCN says that saffron is a good alternative for poppy cultivation. Deputy MoCN Jawed Ahmad Qayem said if necessary attention is focused to those areas that are naturally susceptible for saffron production, more income would be earned.
He added, since Afghanistan agriculture is seasonal, and affiliated to certain geography, certain seeds are grown in special places like cotton in Helmand, pomegranate in Kandahar and saffron in Herat. 
Afghan saffron is exported to India, Arabic and European markets and recently an export memorandum of understanding was singed with China.
Naqibullah Sultanzoy an economist said, Afghanistan saffron enjoys good reputation in the world and the government should prevent its exports under the name of other countries. Unfortunately it has been happened that this golden plant has been supplied by Afghan businessmen in the name of other countries to the global markets.
Saffron which is also used in production of beverages and other medicines, have large number of customers in domestic and global markets. At present one kilogram saffron is supplied against Afs 100000. Prior to this, the leader of saffron Dealers Union had said that despite of all optimisms and progresses in this field, Afghanistan still lacks standard laboratories and no local company has managed to verify the quality of Afghan saffron. This is one of our weak points.
Plantation of saffron is easy and its onion grows for many years consecutively. It requires less water.(Agencies)