Sixth Saffron Flower festival held in Herat

Aqrab 22: November 12, 2020
The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Herat Province, in cooperation with the National Saffron Union of Afghanistan, held Sixth Saffron Flower festival today.
The purpose of holding this Festival was to encourage and honor the efforts of saffron growers and create opportunities for the farmers of the province
This festival was Inaugurated by Sayed Wahid Qatali, Governor of Herat Province, Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, Inspector of the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Herat Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, heads of government Departments, professors and a group of farmers and saffron growers.
The purpose of celebration this festival is to introduce Agricultural and livestock products to National and international traders, to create opportunities for farmers to introduce their products, and to gain access to foreign Markets for the sale of Agricultural products.
Eight thousand Hectares of land in Herat are under saffron cultivation, which has created employment for families in the province, said Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, inspector of the Herat Department of Agriculture, referring to the department's achievements this Year.
Mr. Ahmadi added: that Herat, as the saffron center of the country, has been able to introduce this plant not only as an Alternative Crop but, also as a Strategic economic and employment plant.
Herat produces 90% of the country's saffron, which is more than 20 Tons of saffron.
In Herat, 42 associations and more than 53 companies are active in the production and processing of saffron.  In Herat, 20,000 families work in the saffron sector.
Bashir Ahmad Rashidi, Head of the saffron Farmers' Union of Afghanistan, expressed satisfaction with the growth of this international plant in the country and the involvement of farmers in this valuable plant, and called for the cooperation of Local officials and relevant institutions in controlling and monitoring saffron imports.
According to Mr. Rashidi, one Kilogram of pure saffron is currently sold in the Herat market, the highest 40,000 and the lowest 30,000 Afghanis.
Meanwhile, a number of saffron growers who have displayed their saffron flowers at the festival are expressing satisfaction with the increase in saffron Yields.
This year, our saffron yields have increased significantly compared to previous years, which has encouraged us," said Amrullah, a Herat saffron grower.
During the festival, saffron farmers and companies involved in the processing and export of saffron exhibited their saffron products in 40 booths for two days in the courtyard of the Herat Department of Agriculture, which is open to the public.