4 JUNE 2011

 

During a recent visit to Hirat Province, U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry enjoyed a brief discussion with Sima Ghoryani, the charismatic founder and head of the Ghoryan District Women’s Saffron Association. Founded in 2008, the association is comprised of women saffron growers in Ghoryan District, located in western Hirat Province on the Iranian border. In 2009, with a grant from USAID, the association registered with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and bought packaging and marketing equipment used by its members to develop their businesses.

 

The saffron association builds higher productivity skills by facilitating training workshops on cultivating, harvesting, and processing saffron. In addition, the association conducts business capacity-building through training in financial management, human resource management, and strategic planning.  With funds received through the Ambassador’s Small Grants Program for Gender Equality, the saffron association organizes literacy classes and beekeeping training to provide women a greater degree of independence by giving them important life skills, as well as an opportunity for a sustainable source of income outside the saffron growing season.

 

The association has already developed a brand for their saffron production and is selling it to both foreign and domestic markets.