Paktika farmers call on government for saffron cultivation training

Paktika farmers want to switch to growing saffron as the best alternative to the illicit crop, poppy.

The farmers are seeking the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to provide saffron seeds and training programs for them.

The province offers the suitable conditions for the cultivation of saffron; hence, the farmers are pushing the government to support them with the cultivation of the spice.

A farmer from the Sra Qala area of Sharan, Haji Syed Khan, accused the government of paying no attention to the agriculture sector in Paktika.

Agriculture officials promised him they would discuss the issue of providing saffron seeds and conduct training courses for the farmers with the ministry concerned, but they are yet to take any step in this regard.