First-ever saffron quality control lab opens in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A laboratory to assess the quality of saffron produced in Afghanistan was inaugurated in western Herat province on Saturday, officials said, hoping the first-of-its-kind facility would help boost the plant’s export to international markets.

Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, saffron extension in-charge at the Heart agriculture, irrigation and livestock department, during a ceremony marking the inauguration of the lab, said it would control the quality of saffron.

He said saffron would first be brought to the lab by companies for evaluation before permitted to be sold and exported outside the country.

Ahmadi said the lab cost $50,000 provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). “In this lab the saffron quality will be tested. And about 18 tests will be conducted.”

He said the lab, besides assessing quality, would also specify diseases and pests at saffron fields and would help deal with them.

Meanwhile, Governor Mohammad Asif Rahimi, said the lab would help prevent the misuse of Afghanistan’s saffron by other countries and global countries would trust Afghanistan saffron more than ever. “International countries will be now convinced and satisfied that Afghanistan saffron is the best on global level.”

“The lab’s inauguration is a step that will enable us to certify Afghanistan saffron and convince the world about its quality.”

Meanwhile, agriculture officials said more than 10 tonnes of saffron was produced in Herat this year against last year’s 6.5 tonnes.

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