The provincial government has launched a three-year project at the cost of Rs.500 million to introduce saffron cultivation in 21 districts of the province in an effort to boost the income of small and poor farmers.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Major (Retd) Sajjad Barakwal said the initiative would help to strengthen farmers financially by promoting the high-value crop in suitable areas. He added that officers and field staff of the Agriculture Department would train farmers in modern cultivation techniques to ensure the success of the project.
He was speaking at the closing session of a two-day workshop organised by the Directorate General of Agriculture Research. The session was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Naeem Khan, MPA Johar Khan, Tehsil Chairman Karak Azmat Khattak, DG Agriculture Research Dr Abdul Rauf, DG Agriculture Extension Murad Ali, Director Planning & Research Tahir Sajjad, along with district officers and agricultural experts from across the province.
The agriculture minister stated that the provincial government has adopted a strategy to promote high-value crops to enhance farmers’ income. Saffron, one of the most expensive crops in the world, can be cultivated successfully in several districts of KP. Under the project, which began in fiscal year 2024–25, saffron will be planted in Upper Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Bajaur, Malakand, Upper Swat, Lower Swat, Shangla, Buner, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar, Haripur, Swabi, Hangu, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
Agriculture experts from across the province presented their recommendations for the 2025–26 cultivation season based on last year’s field experiences. The recommendations will be published in a booklet and distributed to farmers.
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Minister Sajjad Barakwal instructed that saffron bulbs should be carefully sorted, with small and diseased bulbs removed, while only healthy bulbs meeting weight standards should be supplied to farmers for timely plantation. He also reviewed suggestions from participants and issued directives accordingly.
The session concluded with the minister distributing certificates among the workshop participants.
