Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Saffron Cultivation, Yield Doubles in Baghlan This Year

Saffron Cultivation, Yield Doubles  in Baghlan This Year

PUL-I-KHUMRI - Cultivation and harvest of saffron doubled this year in northern Baghlan province compared to last year, an official said Sunday.
Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock Department director Abdul Ghais Sidqiqi told Pajhwok Afghan News that saffron was cultivated on 20 acres of land in 12 districts previously grown with poppy.
He said people’s interest in cultivation of saffron had increased. They collected 17 kilograms of saffron from nine units of land last year and 30 kilograms this year from 20 units, showing a two-fold increase over last year’s.
H said one kilogram of saffron could be sold for 1,000 US dollars, which could be a good alternative to poppy. Saffron needed less irrigation.
Meanwhile, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock department official Abdul Qahar Sattari said he was happy about the saffron yield.
He said five years back a number of farmers cultivated saffron on their lands but they received no financial support. However, they again started cultivation of saffron two years back and abandoned happy in Baghlan province.
He said 150 associations of saffron growers have been created in the province and 21 collecting machines of saffron distributed to them.
Abdul Basir Khan, a saffron grower in Andrab area of Pul-i-Khumri City, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok he has been cultivating saffron for the past ten years and earned 600,000 afghanis each year. He termed saffron cultivation as good alternative to poppy. (Pajhwok)