I read an interesting article on CNN today. It’s a tiny important move for peace in Afghanistan in my opinion.
It turns out that a crop of the saffron crocus brings a better profit than a crop of the opium poppy. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and sells for thousands of dollars per pound. According to this site which sells saffron, only 5-7 pounds of saffron can be produced from each acre of land, then comes the very labor-intensive work of harvesting the stigmas.
In the CNN article, the farmers liked switching to saffron because it was a legal crop. The Taliban didn’t like it because they don’t get a cut. The farmers’ families like it because the women can legally help with the business. The farmer in the article was going to use some of the profits to educate his daughters. I applaud him!
It is so wonderful to hear good news from Afghanistan!
Internal Jukebox: Praise Him! An anthem for church.