STORY: Booming saffron harvest creates more jobs for Afghans 
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 17, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:12
LOCATION: HERAT, Afghanistan  
CATEGORY: SOCIETY 

SHOTLIST:
1. various of saffron harvesting in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): NAFISA, Worker gathering saffron flowers 
3. various of saffron harvesting in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): ABDUL SHAKOR EHRARI, Chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan, a saffron processing company     
5. various of a saffron processing and packaging company in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ABDUL SHAKOR EHRARI, Chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan, a saffron processing company 
7. various of a saffron processing and packaging company in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Dari): HATAM, Worker gathering saffron flowers   
9. various of saffron harvesting in the city of Herat in western Afghanistan

STORYLINE:

On a dusty saffron farm in Afghanistan's western Herat province, Nafisa, a 55-year-old woman, carefully gathers saffron flowers. For her, this seasonal work provides a vital lifeline.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): NAFISA, Worker gathering saffron flowers 
"I earn between 150 afghanis (2.20 U.S. dollars) and 180 afghanis (2.64 U.S. dollars) daily from working on the saffron farm. It helps me cover my basic needs and sustain my daily life. I have no other way to earn a living. I wait for the saffron harvest season every year to collect these flowers." 

Saffron cultivation, a promising alternative to Afghanistan's infamous poppy farming, has been steadily expanding in the war-torn country over the past two decades. More farmers are turning to this precious crop, drawn by its profitability.

Currently, around 9,000 hectares of land are dedicated to saffron cultivation in Afghanistan, with approximately 95 percent concentrated in Herat province, according to Abdul Shakor Ehrari, chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan (Afghan Red Gold), a leading saffron processing company.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): ABDUL SHAKOR EHRARI, Chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan, a saffron processing company     
"Based on the reports we have received from partner bodies, some 8,000 to 9,000 hectares of lands have been cultivated saffron in Afghanistan with 85 to 95 percent of them only in Herat."

According to Ehrari, the saffron harvest season provides employment for between 500,000 and 1 million workers across the country. He predicts a significant increase in this year's yield, estimating a harvest of up to 40 tons of saffron compared to last year's 35 tons.

However, Afghanistan's saffron industry faces challenges due to international sanctions. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): ABDUL SHAKOR EHRARI, Chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan, a saffron processing company
"Sanctions have caused major problems, particularly in transferring money. This has cost us many of our customers."     

The U.S.-imposed sanctions on Afghanistan have heavily impacted Afghanistan's fragile economy, especially the banking system, which has undermined trade, transactions and other economic activities in the central Asian nation.

For workers like 39-year-old Hatam, the harvest season offers a source of stability. 

SOUNDBITE 4 (Dari): HATAM, Worker gathering saffron flowers 
"I collect about 12 kg of saffron flowers each day. Life goes on. I work here and am satisfied with the outcome of my efforts."

Despite the hardships, the growing saffron cultivation continues to offer hope and opportunities in Afghanistan, contributing to both individual livelihoods and the national economy.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Herat, Afghanistan.
(XHTV)