HERAT CITY: Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) distributed over eight tons of saffron to farmers in the western Herat province, as alternative livelihood, officials said on Thursday.

Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, promotion officer in provincial agriculture department, told Pajhwok Afghan News 8,400 kilograms of saffron was distributed to over 60 farmers in Pusthon Zarghon district of the province. >

He said distribution of saffron was to promote the crop and get good source of income for the farmers. The 60 farmers were imparted training by agriculture department regarding the cultivation of saffron, he added. Besides 140 kilograms of saffron, each farmer was distributed one sack of fertilizers and working tools, Ahmadi contended.

Abdul Karim, 45, a local farmer, said:" Saffron produced great result in Pushtoon Zarghon, because the weather, water and earth were suitable for the crop here."

He asked for more help that farmers could increase cultivation of saffron. Hailing the help with farmers, Hafizullah, district chief of Pusthoon Zarghon said local farmers suffered a lot of losses due to long and severe drought and serious diseases."

The donation to the farmers was a part of the $74,000 PRT would grant in four districts. Earlier, Italian PRT provided 11 tons of saffron to Shindand district farmers and seven tons to each Karukh and Zinda-Jan districts of the province.