Saffron production up 22 percent in Afghanistan

Nearly 19.5 tonnes of saffron were produced in Afghanistan this year, up from 16 tonnes last year, the ministry said in a statement.
In 2019, saffron cultivation covered 7,557 hectares, while in 2018, it covered 6,272 hectares.
Herat, Balkh, Faryab, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Daikundi and Sar-e-Pul provinces were the largest producers of saffron respectively.
In Herat alone, 7,000 hectares of land were cultivated with saffron.
According to the agriculture ministry, the main reasons behind increase in the production of saffron were rise in cultivation, training of farmers, distribution of high quality saffron bulbs and building of demonstration farms.
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and has long been seen as an alternative crop to opium poppies for poor farmers in Afghanistan.
According to the agriculture ministry, saffron producers are expected to earn $27 million this year.