Saffron harvest up by 60 percent in Balkh this year

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Saffron was cultivated on 120 hectares of land in northern Balkh province this year and its yield has also increased, an official says.

Balkh Agriculture and Irrigation Director Shamsuddin Khalid told Pajhwok Afghan News on Monday that saffron was grown on 120 hectares of land in Chahar Bulak, Chamtal, Balkh, Nahri Shahi, Dawlatabad and Dehdad districts this year.

Last year, he said, the plant was cultivated on 80 hectares of land, producing 150 kilograms. This year’s saffron yield is estimated at 250 kilograms — 60 percent up compared to last year’s harvest.

Saffron growers and processors say Balkh’s climate suits saffron cultivation.

Asadullah Abir, Noras saffron processing and production company manager in Balkh, told Pajhwok that saffron cultivation had good results in some districts and the yield had increased compared to previous years.

Munir Shah, managing director of Mazar Saffron Society, said saffron produced in Balkh would compete with the saffron of Herat province in future.

Workers at saffron processing companies said they were happy for being provided with work opportunity to earn and support their families.

One of them Mujda told Pajhwok she was satisfied with the opportunity to work, but it was only for one month. She asked the government to provide them a long time work opportunity.

Farmers in many provinces have recently switched to growing saffron. Afghanistan’s saffron has a good reputation in the world.

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