Local officials of northern Balkh Province said that farmers harvested more than 140 Kg of saffron in the province, which is a 15 percent increase from last year.

Zabihullah Zobin, an agricultural director in Balkh, said that farmers have planted saffron on 60 hectares of land, and have harvested 20 kg more than last year.

“Our harvest increased by 20 Kg this year to 140- 150 kg of saffron,” said Zobin.

A kilogram of saffron in domestic and foreign markets is worth between 60,000 to 80,000 Afs.

Farzana, a farmer said, “We are happy to work here and earn money.” 

Halima, a farmer, said that many women received training about saffron processing.

“We are a group of 20 women, and we received training about the saffron processing,” said Halima.
Based on the information by the Chamber of Commerce and investment, the majority of saffron exports to China, India, UAE, and Germany.

Saffron planting began in Balkh province in 2008 and many farmers planted saffron instead of crops for drug-production.