KABUL, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan saffron products have been ranked first in terms of quality by an international institution based in Belgium's Brussels, reported a local on-line news agency on Saturday.
"Afghan saffron in terms of quality has been named as the world's best by the International Taste and Quality Institute in Brussels," Khaama Press reported.
The saffron had been cultivated in 33 of the country's 34 provinces this year, producing 18.3 metric tons, Akbar Rustami, a spokesman of Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, was quoted in the report as saying.
Saffron production will reach 25 tons by 2021, the official noted.
Founded in 2003, the International Taste and Quality Institute has been testing and recognizing different food globally.
In local Afghan markets, 1 kg of saffron is priced at 50,000 afghani (about 634 U.S. dollars) to 90,000 afghani (about 1,147 U.S. dollars), depending on the quality, according to Rustami.
The Afghan government has taken measures to invest in the agricultural sector to further create job opportunities and to boost economy.
Three decades of war had a devastating impact on the agriculture sector in the landlocked country.
