The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has stated that it has provided training opportunities for over 10,000 individuals, including thousands of women farmers in Herat, to improve saffron cultivation.
In a report, the agency mentioned that it conducted this training program under the title “Comprehensive Pest Management Program” for 10,090 farmers in Herat, where they received essential education on saffron cultivation and sustainable pest management.
The report also noted that 3,454 women benefited from this training program.
USAID emphasized, “By training in sustainable pest management, these farmers can meet the standards of European and American markets and expand their access to lucrative global markets.”
Saffron cultivation began in Herat nearly two decades ago and is currently grown in most provinces. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, over 21 tons of saffron were produced in Afghanistan in 2021.
It should be noted that Afghan saffron is renowned for its flavor worldwide, and this year, the Global Flavor and Quality Institute in Belgium awarded Afghanistan the title of best saffron for the ninth time.
Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the caretaker government recently reported that in the first six months of the current solar year, 80 tons of saffron worth $20.5 million were exported to regional and global markets.
Akhandzada Abdulsalam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, shared a video with reporters stating that most of Afghanistan’s saffron exports went to India, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
USAID reiterated, “We are helping Afghans strengthen their businesses and continue their livelihoods. We empower farmers to provide food and job opportunities for their families and communities across the country, and we strive to ensure equal access to education for all students, including boys and girls.”
The agency also stated that it will continue its efforts to strengthen civil society and human rights, especially the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
