In recent years, many farmers in Kunduz province have started cultivating Asafoetida.

Farmers in Kunduz say that asafoetida, or "hing" is a medicinal plant and its income is more profitable than other products.

They add that if the government cooperates with them, the production of hing and the export of this plant abroad will increase.

“This is the third year that we have been cultivating hing. We used to cultivate wheat in these fields, but it did not have as much yield. During this time, people have become very interested in Hing cultivation,” said Mohammad Karim, a farmer.

“Hing is a medicinal plant that we brought from Tajikistan to Kunduz province four years ago and planted it on more than a thousand acres of land. Hing products are of great value and price. Hing is mainly used in medicine,” said Fawad Hazratzadeh, a hing merchant.

Najibullah, a 30-year-old who has newly started the cultivation of asafoetida, has been farming in the Aliabad district of Kunduz for several years.

“Hing cultivation is very good. This was not that common in previous years. In recent years it has become popular in Kunduz province. This plant needs less water and produces in three years. Instead of poppy cultivation, it is good,” said Najibullah, the farmer.

Meanwhile, local officials in Kunduz said they have plans to support farmers.

According to the director of agriculture and irrigation  in Kunduz, thousands of hectares of land grew hing last year, through which Kunduz farmers have made a good profit.

“Our agriculture department, including our central government, is supporting the farmers, and if they have a problem, it will be addressed,” said Mawlawi Amanullah Hassan, director of agriculture and irrigation of Kunduz.

Hing is one of the most important medicinal and export plants in Afghanistan and the processing of its juice has grown significantly in recent years in the country.