Farmers in Zindajan district of Herat province reported that wild boars have destroyed hundreds of acres of their saffron fields.

According to the farmers, these animals invade the farms at night, causing significant financial losses.

Shah Wali, a farmer who owns 20 acres of saffron land in Zindajan, said that a large portion of his crops has been trampled by wild boars, uprooting saffron bulbs from the soil.

He explained: "For several nights, boars have been attacking the fields. To prevent these attacks, we have hired two night guards. Two nights ago, a boar came and ate the saffron bulbs. We fired shots, and it ran away. But last night, four to five boars invaded the fields."

Farmers estimate that wild boars have so far destroyed nearly 1,000 acres of farmland, including saffron fields and other crops.

Mir Ahmad, another farmer from Zindajan, said: "Every night these boars enter the fields and destroy about an acre of land. Farmers are forced to hire guards to protect their crops."

Abdul Qadir, another farmer in the area, said: "We have invested in saffron farming, but our investment is at risk. Every night, the boars attack and cause damage."

Wahid Habibi, another farmer, urged authorities to take action: "When it comes to collecting taxes, officials are present and demand payment. But now that we are facing this disaster, why is no one stepping in to help us?"

The Herat Department of Agriculture and Irrigation has announced plans, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, to mitigate the damage caused by wild animals.

Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, head of the Agricultural Extension at the department, stated: "In coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, we have developed programs to protect saffron farms. These animals live in the region's dense forests, and measures must be taken to control them."

Herat is Afghanistan's largest saffron-producing province, with the majority of its production coming from Zindajan district.

Farmers fear that continued boar attacks could lead to more severe destruction of their fields and a significant decline in saffron production.