(MENAFN - Pajhwok Afghan News) NEILI (Pajhwok): The residents of central Daikundi province have been taking more interest in cultivation of saffron as this year€™s saffron yield reached 50 kilograms, local officials say.

According to farmers and agriculture officials, Daikundi€™s water and climate is suitable for saffron crop where the lucrative plant nurtures well.

Syed Abdul Wahid Ferozi, agriculture and livestock director, said saffron produced in Daikundi was of high quality compared to the plant produced in other provinces.

He said saffron crop was cultivated in Daikundi since 2011. Saffron was cultivated on 25 acres of land in the province this year, producing 50 kilograms of saffron, he said. However, there was no information about saffron yields and cultivation in the previous years.

Ferozi said farmers were taking more interest in saffron cultivation compared to the past. He said half an acre of land produced one to two kilograms of saffron. The cultivation of saffron has increased compared to other crops in Daikundi for being more profitable.

The agriculture director termed saffron as the only crop which could adequately earn farmers more profit than other crops as one kilogram of saffron was sold for 90,000 afghanis in Kabul and Herat markets.

He, however, said due to the lack of processing factories, unlabelled saffron was sold in Daikundi, Kabul and Herat markets.

He asked the government to do more for promotion of saffron crop in districts and train farmers how to cultivate and look after the vital crop.

Benazir Hussaini, a female farmer, said saffron was a suitable crop for women to grow it and improve their economy.

Bomana Hedayat, another farmer, said she had been cultivating saffron over the past few years, helping her to become economically self-sufficient.

Agriculture officials say in order to promote saffron cultivation women will be provided with more experimental agriculture land pieces.

Saffron produced in Afghanistan recently earned global recognition for its taste and quality.

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