LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The government has started efforts to promote cultivation of medicinal plant asafetida, deemed as poppy substitute, in southern Helmand province, provincial Agriculture and Livestock Department officials said on Saturday.
Engineer Mohammad Aslam Bashardost, the head of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News they had started efforts to encourage farmers towards cultivation of asafetida this year.
He said the Agriculture Department grew asafetida in Helmand province three years ago as a pilot project and it had good outcome.
He said their research showed the climate of Helmand was very suitable for growing asafetida and they expected . . .
