Latest News
Herat hoping to harvest up to 30 tons of saffron this year
Herat’s department of agriculture and livestock says farmers in the province have planted saffron on more than 8,000 hectares of land this year, and they will probably harvest up to 30 tons.
Marking the Saffron Flower Festival held Thursday in Herat where processing companies and saffron growers showcased their products in 40 booths, Pir Mohammad Halimi, head of the agriculture and livestock department, said: “Nearly, 20,000 farmers are busy in the saffron sector in Herat province, and compared to last year, the saffron yield in this province is good. Last year, up to 20 tons of saffron was produced, and this year it is expected to reach 30 tons.”
However, a number of saffron growers said that although farmers’ interest in saffron cultivation has increased, the basic work for the growth of this product has not been done.
According to them, the problems in saffron export have not been solved yet and farmers need training programs to improve their skills for saffron cultivation.
“Afghanistan’s saffron industry should be promoted more than this, educational courses should be held, the national brand of Afghanistan’s saffron should be taken so that Afghanistan’s saffron is not exported under the name of other countries,” said Jalil Ahmad Karimi, a saffron grower.
“The most important way to transfer saffron is participation in the international expo. At the national level, expos and symposiums as well as festivals are helpful,” said Abdul Shukoor Ahrari, head of one of the saffron processing companies in Herat.
Meanwhile, the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment has said that this year 21 tons of saffron has been exported and good profits have been obtained.
However, Afghanistan’s National Saffron Growers Union has pointed out that Afghan saffron still does not have a specific brand and is not introduced in the world markets.
“This year, about 21,684 kilos of saffron worth 21,561,000 dollars have been exported to foreign countries, most of which were exported to India, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Spain,” said Mohammad Yusof Amin, Executive Director of Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
“Our hope is still to have a market, to have better markets and we wish that we will reach European markets more than ever before,” said Bashir Ahmad Rashidi, head of Afghanistan’s National Saffron Growers Union.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education has announced the suspension of seven private universities for one year and the cancellation of the operating licenses of two others over serious violations and administrative shortcomings.
The ministry said the decision followed inspections and evaluations conducted at universities across Afghanistan during the spring semester of the 1405 solar year. Serious problems were identified at nine private universities, despite repeated warnings and recommendations to address the issues.
According to the ministry, a committee appointed by its leadership council conducted a further review before recommending the suspension and cancellation of the universities’ activities. The recommendations were subsequently approved by the council.
The seven universities suspended for one year are Barlas University in Jawzjan, Rah-e Saadat and Turkistan universities in Balkh, Azhar and Barna universities in Badakhshan, Rashad University in Faryab, and Payam University in Kabul.
The operating licenses of Kohanduz University in Kunduz and Khana-e Danesh University in Takhar have also been revoked.
The ministry cited several violations, including the absence of proper academic and administrative leadership, including university presidents, academic deputies, student affairs deputies and faculty heads.
It also reported the presence of “ghost students” who were listed as enrolled and scheduled for classes despite not being present in classrooms.
Other violations included failure to maintain class attendance records during the first 10 weeks of the semester and allowing students who had been barred from continuing their studies because of poor attendance to sit final examinations, receive passing grades and advance to higher semesters.
The ministry also said some universities lacked the laboratories, equipment and materials required for practical training and were not teaching the curriculum approved by the ministry.
In medical faculties, where much of the training is supposed to take place in hospitals, inspectors reportedly found no students present at hospitals during their visits.
The ministry further alleged that the two universities whose licenses were revoked had falsified attendance records, with some students who had been absent from classes throughout the semester recorded as present in altered attendance sheets.
Russia should explore establishing a railway route to the Indian Ocean through Afghanistan to reduce risks associated with the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said.
Speaking in an interview with TASS, Khusnullin said alternative rail routes could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India.
“A rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be explored,” Khusnullin said. “Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options providing access to India are acceptable.”
The proposal comes amid concerns over the security and reliability of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following the escalation of tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route, through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes.
Officials of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) say several major companies from neighboring countries, including Russia, are interested in investing in the production of electrical equipment in Afghanistan.
The officials added that Afghanistan has the capacity to attract millions of dollars in investment in the production of electrical equipment.
According to DABS officials, a large portion of the equipment required by Breshna is purchased from neighboring and other countries, and increasing domestic production could reduce the country’s reliance on imports to some extent.
Meanwhile, private-sector representatives said investment in the production of electrical equipment is a serious need. They stressed that investment in the development and production of electrical equipment should be accelerated to reduce imports and increase domestic production.
They said the move would not only reduce reliance on imports but also create employment opportunities for thousands of people.
Economic analysts also said that, alongside electricity generation, investment in the production of equipment used for electricity generation and transmission should be increased. This would allow domestically produced electrical equipment to enter the local market and help reduce imports of foreign products.
Currently, electrical equipment is imported into Afghanistan from various countries, including China, Iran and Turkey.
Afghanistan secure direct qualification for 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup
Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia defence pact technically same as NATO’s Article 5, Turkish minister says
Afghanistan suspends 7 private universities for one year, revokes licenses of 2 others
Russia eyes railway route via Afghanistan as alternative to Strait of Hormuz
Ex-U.S. President Biden’s cancer has spread, is very painful, son says
Pakistan’s governance system has ‘collapsed’: Mohsin Naqvi
India offers 1,000 online scholarships for Afghan students for 2026-27 academic year
Turkey spent over $120 million to prepare airport for Qatar-donated U.S. presidential aircraft
FIFA’s inaugural YouTube Creator Cup to stream live on Ariana Television and Ariana Sport YouTube channels
FIFA World Cup semi-final line-up confirmed
Tahawol: Escalating disputes over Iran war discussed
Saar: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan defense pact reviewed
Tahawol: End of US sanctions waiver for Chabahar Port discussed
Saar: US warns of ISIL-K threat in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Limited choices of small states in global politics discussed
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan aim to strengthen ODI ranking in Ireland series
-
Latest News4 days agoKhalilzad says Pakistan needs ‘reset’ amid economic crisis and rising instability
-
Latest News4 days agoFirst Afghanistan-Ireland ODI abandoned without a ball bowled
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan aim for winning start against Ireland
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan boxer charged over death of British woman found in suitcase in Greece
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan holds Russia to 3-3 draw, earns first point at Continental Futsal Championship
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghan boxer appears in Greek court over death of Scottish woman
-
Business3 days agoUzbekistan’s Fergana region strengthens economic ties with Afghanistan