Saffron sector faces serious challenges amid decline in demand

Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock officials said this week that due to a decrease in demand for saffron, cultivation of this spice has dropped off significantly this year.

However, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)
officials said they are taking serious steps to improve the situation and increase cultivation of the saffron crocus plant.

Chamber officials said that in the past two years, due to the COVID pandemic, and political developments, the saffron sector in Afghanistan has faced many challenges.

Officials warned that unless serious attention is paid to the cultivation and marketing of the country’s saffron, farmers will change to other crops.

“We now see that the global saffron market has improved but cultivation has declined. We hope that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock will take measures to keep this sector alive,” said Mirwais Hajizada, a chamber member.

On the other hand, MAIL officials said they are trying to grow saffron cultivation in the country and from now on, smuggling of saffron out of the country will be banned.

“We are working to expand saffron cultivation in the country, as well as to prevent the smuggling of saffron out of Afghanistan,” said Mesbahuddin Mostaeen, a ministry spokesman.

Economists say the development of the country’s agricultural sector could help end Afghanistan’s economic crisis, and called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to focus on developing this sector.