Chitral, October 8, 2025: Dr. Abdul Rauf, Director General of Agriculture Research, visited the Agricultural Research Station in Chitral to inspect ongoing research activities and monitor the progress of key agricultural projects in the region.
During his visit, Dr. Rauf closely reviewed several initiatives, with a particular focus on the Saffron Project, aimed at promoting saffron cultivation in Chitral. Saffron has been identified as a high-potential cash crop for the region, with the provincial government projecting substantial revenue generation through both domestic sales and international exports.
The project is designed to provide farmers with comprehensive support, including hi-tech stigma separation, grading, quality analysis, packaging, as well as e-auction marketing and Geographical Indication (GI) authenticity certification, ensuring that Chitral saffron meets international quality standards.
Budget Allocation By KP Govt
In a significant development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a three-year project worth Rs500 million to promote saffron cultivation, aiming to economically empower small farmers across 21 districts, including Upper and Lower Chitral.
This initiative, starting from the fiscal year 2024–25, involves introducing saffron cultivation in these districts and providing guidance on modern techniques such as land preparation, corm planting, and crop management practices.
Officers from the Agriculture Research Department also visited Chitral in connection with the Saffron Project. They held meetings with local farmers and key stakeholders to discuss progress, address challenges, and emphasize the importance of adopting modern agricultural practices.
Officials highlighted that providing farmers with technical guidance and necessary facilities is critical to improving both crop quality and yield.
The project is expected to not only boost the local economy but also create employment opportunities for the community and enhance foreign exchange earnings.
Officials believe that the successful implementation of the Saffron Project in Chitral could serve as a model for other districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promoting sustainable agricultural development and contributing to long-term economic growth across the province.