Afghanistan Saffron

Saffron is one of the oldest medical pant which has a beautiful color and taste, and it has been always in attention of people around the world. Saffron was being cultivated even in primitive world. A number of researchers consider Old Khurasan (current Afghanistan and Iran). Based on the investigations of France researchers, there are evidence that show saffron were being cultivated in Afghanistan 2000 ago.

Continuously, saffron cultivation was started in Ghorian district, Herat, from 1991. Dakar organization started saffron cultivation with farmers of Pashtun Zarghon district, Herat, in 1998. Currently, about 30 provinces of the country are cultivating saffron.

Distinction of Afghanistan saffron from other producing countries:

Saffron/red gold is a plant started to be cultivated again in Afghanistan especially Herat province. Its underground cultivation is raising. This time, Afghan politicians consider saffron plant from two points of view (a tool through which we can have a flourishing economy and it can be a proper alternative to illicit drug). They also want to develop this business using different method.

Considering the following reasons, it could be argued that Afghanistan saffron is better than other countries’ saffron.

1. Interest of producers in this plant.
2. Its economical distinction.
3. Proper weather in most of the Afghanistan provinces.
4. Proper soil for saffron cultivation and growing.
5. Awareness of producer farmers on standard method of production and processing.
6. Much use of animal fertilizer to make the plants grow better.
7. Lack of use of chemical fertilizer to grow the plants.
8. Virginity of Afghanistan (all the required elements are existed in the soil)
9. Presence of human resources in the country. This causes saffron to be reaped and processed timely and economically.
10. Using stream and river water in irrigation of saffron lands. In some areas, the land is seldom irrigated by wells only two times.
11. Attention of government and national/international organizations on this strategic plant.