Ghulam Mohammad Kazim Shahamat, spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, says saffron growing and production is on the rise in Afghanistan, with output reaching 40 metric tons in 2015 and efforts to further expand the sector ongoing.According to Shahamat, efficient steps have been taken to promote the cultivation and production of saffron in the country.He stressed that saffron is among Afghanistan’& rsquo; s key export commodities, and for that reason, practical and technical assistance to farmers continues.“& ldquo; According to the Ministry of Agriculture’& rsquo; s stats, in the year 1403 [solar year], the total area under saffron cultivation in 30 provinces of the nation reached 9,500 hectares.
From these fields, roughly 40 metric tons of saffron were collected in total, with Herat province blazing a trail, producing 90 percent of the country’& rsquo; s amount to saffron yield,” & rdquo; he added.According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Afghanistan exported saffron worth $39 million in 2015.
Nevertheless, this figure represents an 8 percent decline compared to the previous year.Meanwhile, some professionals have actually said that the growth of saffron growing not just produces job opportunities for individuals but also enhances the national economy.Meanwhile, market stakeholders are contacting the Islamic Emirate to make greater efforts in marketing Afghan saffron.Some economic experts think that before concentrating on the growing and production of farming items, the federal government must prioritize marketing techniques so that items can rapidly reach markets after harvest and farmers do not incur losses.Afghan saffron is exported to nations such as India, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Australia, Turkey, and several others.
However, financial restrictions and the absence of direct trade relations with the world have likewise negatively impacted this sector.The post Afghanistan gathered 40 metric lots of saffron in 2015: Agriculture ministry first appeared on TINS News Afghanistan News.